Interaction of pulsed laser radiation with solids generates aerosols which are introduced into inductively coupled plasma source. Resulting ions are introduced into mass spectrometer and carry analytical signal containig qualitative and quantitative information on particular sample. Microplasma formed above the surface of a sample attacked by laser radiation emits radiation carrying information on qualitative composition of the sample and can be used for quantification in laser induced breakdown spectrometry. The same aerosol can be introduced into inductively coupled plasma source coupled with atomic emission spectrometer. Hence, from one laser source emission signals from LIBS and ICP-OES can be generated and compared. Double pulse laser induced breakdown enhances emission of analytical lines in microplasma and improves limits of detection. However, quantification represents common problem for all above methods. The bias follows from the lack of calibration materials that match real samples. This topic is studied in the framework of the project. Possible solution consist in preparation of suitable calibration materials, signal normalisation and optimistation of operating conditions of the laser, ionisation/excitation source (ICP) and detection systems (MS, OES). Local character of laser - matter interaction makes it possible to perform 2D or 3D elemental mapping. Optimisation of elemental mapping is performed for various materials, such as geological samples, archaeological objects, biotissues, biominerals. Synthesis of various compound from particular elements by the interaction with laser radiation is studied by means of time-of-flight mass spectometry. Atomic absorption spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry are used for determination of mercury in environmental samples. Mercury speciation analysis is carried out using gas chromatography coupled with atomic fluorescence detector. Fractionation of mercury is studied and applied by using extraction.

Results

Publications