This presentation describes the performance of an innovative mass spectrometer, the Massbox. By coupling laser ablation, laser ionization, under vacuum, with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LALI-TOF-MS) the Massbox offers trace-level detection capabilities for almost the entire periodic table. The patented LALI source uses two lasers to first liberate material from a solid sample and then ionize that material in two discrete steps. The primary laser can be set to either 213 nm or 266 nm for ablation, or to 1064 nm for desorption. This versatility makes the Massbox suitable for a wide variety of both inorganic and organic applications. A short delay after ablation/desorption (~1 µs) allows plasma-generated ions to disperse before the secondary, ionization laser is triggered. The ionization laser is aligned with the beam’s path parallel to the sample surface with the focal point inside the neutral particle cloud to form ions from neutral species via photoionization. Compared to traditional LA-ICP-MS, ions generated from neutral species are much less subject to elemental fractionation and matrix effects. Because ionization occurs at vacuum, it eliminates the losses and fractionation that occur during transport from an atmospheric pressure ionization source to a mass analyzer at high vacuum. Furthermore, the LALI source replaces the more traditional argon plasma, thereby eliminating polyatomic interferences, which results in isotopically accurate mass spectra. Designed with the end user in mind, the Massbox has an easy-to-use, touch-screen interface and intuitive software system. Combining these features into its compact, benchtop design brings high-quality analytical performance to anyone, anywhere. It is capable of both bulk characterization and chemical mapping of solid samples. The presentation will include examples from a variety of applications including materials science, natural resources, and batteries.

Transforming trace elemental analysis with the massbox: A revolutionary Laser Ablation laser ionization time of flight mass spectrometer (LALI-TOF-MS)

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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