Lasers in Analytical Chemistry: Past, Present and Future

Lasers have been employed in Analytical Chemistry since the 1980s to great effect to analyse solid samples that are particularly difficult to digest. Not having time consuming dissolution steps or the need to use dangerous chemicals mean that lasers are becoming the dominant solid sampling technique for trace elemental analysis and for isotope/nuclide ratio determination. Recent advances in technology from laser generation through to sample transport mean that the number of applications where lasers are used have grown significantly, and will continue to do so.

In this presentation, the applicability of lasers to analytical problems will be discussed, from simple confirmation of a particular material (e.g. Positive Metal Identification), quantification of trace and major levels in a bulk material through to spatial distribution of particular nuclides within materials to show variations in local environment. In addition to this historical perspective, the future of lasers in chemistry will also be discussed from a commercial standpoint.