Objective
Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICPMS) is a robust, sensitive, and wide-dynamic-range micro-analytical technique for the spatially resolved determination of elemental composition. In LA–ICPMS, a pulsed laser beam removes (ablates) minute quantities of solid sample, which are transferred online to an ICPMS for elemental and/or isotopic analysis. When combined with precise sample positioning, LA–ICPMS can generate two- or even three-dimensional maps of element-abundance maps across a sample surface. However, conventional ICPMS instruments only measure ions of one mass-to-charge value (m/z) and, in combination with the transient nature of LA signals, this limits the precision and accuracy of multi-elemental LA-ICPMS. Additionally, commercial LA cells are designed to distribute the ablated analyte over a period of several seconds to deliver pseudo steady-state analytical signals; these long residence times increase measurement time and limit spatial resolution. In this project, I will combine recently developed fast-washout LA-cell technology with a new ICP–time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ICP–TOFMS) developed in the Günther lab at ETH Zurich. The LA cell temporally compresses and concentrates ablated aerosol into a narrow plug, which improves signal-to-noise ratio, and delivers it into the ICP–TOFMS for rapid simultaneous and complete elemental mass-spectrum generation (1 spectrum every 33 µs). Fast-flow LA–ICP–TOFMS overcomes the limitations of sequential-acquisition MS approaches, and can be used to produce high-resolution elemental images with measurement speeds two orders of magnitude faster than conventional systems. Current ICP–TOFMS sensitivities should allow trace-element mapping with resolution approaching one micrometer; this resolution will enable novel measurements of both micro-scale geological features such as fluid inclusions and zircon domains and sub-cellular elemental distributions in biological tissues.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics pulsed lasers
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.