Abstract: A method for analyzing a solid specimen comprises the steps of: preparing a pulsed laser beam having a frequency of at least 100 Hz and a half width of 1 .mu.sec or less; determining a laser irradiation region; irradiating the pulsed laser beam in an inert gas stream and vaporizing a part of the solid specimen to generate fine particles; transferring said fine particles to a detector; and performing elemental analysis in the detector. An apparatus comprises: laser oscillating device including a semiconductor laser; converging device for converging a laser beam; irradiating device for irradiating the converged laser beam to generate fine particles; an analyzer for performing elemental analysis; and transfer device for transferring the fine particles to said analyzer.

Abstract: A method for detecting a cause of an abnormal portion present on a surface of a steel product, which comprises the steps of: condensing a pulsed laser beam, irradiating the pulsed laser beam thus condensed onto an abnormal portion present on a surface of a steel product and a vicinity thereof, limiting pulse energy density of the pulsed laser beam at an irradiation point of the pulsed laser beam on the surface of the steel product within a range of from 10 kW/mm.sup.2 to 100 MW/mm.sup.