This project aims to gain a better understanding of laser ablation processes, leading to improved analysis of geological materials, especially sulfide minerals.

In 2019, research continued within the project, which is jointly funded by Laurin Technic. The focus was on characterisation of aerosol transport as a function of gas pressure in the ablation cells. Key research activities focussed on:

• Developing approaches to quantitative analyses of plagioclase, alunite and apatite for a wide range of trace elements. This research is part of Nanda Mrabawani’s and Xin Ni Seow’s PhD projects in the TMVC.
• Developing algorithms for quantification of images of trace-element distributions in multi-mineral assemblages.
• Developing algorithms for quantification of compositions of micro-inclusions in minerals using ICP-TOF-MS.
• Testing of the performance of the very fast washout ablation cell Cobalt developed by Teledyne Cetac Technologies.

This project aims to gain a better understanding of laser ablation processes, leading to improved analysis of geological materials, especially sulfide minerals.

In 2018, research continued within the project, which is jointly funded by Laurin Technic. The focus was on the characterisation of ablation processes in silicate minerals. Key research activities focussed on:

• Developing approaches to quantitative analyses of plagioclase and apatite for a wide range of trace elements. This research is part of Nanda Mrabawani’s PhD project.
• Developing applications for imaging of trace-metal distributions in biological tissues using time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (TOFMS) coupled to the low dispersion ablation cell.
• Developing applications for quantification of compositions of micro-inclusions in minerals using ICP-TOF-MS.
• Testing of the performance of the very fast washout ablation cell Cobalt developed by Teledyne Cetac Technologies.

This project aims to gain a better understanding of laser ablation processes, leading to improved analysis of geological materials, especially sulfide.

In 2017, research continued within the project jointly funded with Laurin Technic, focussed on the characterisation of ablation processes in silicate minerals. Key research activities focussed on:

• Obtaining a detailed understanding of the importance of the optical design of laser microprobes on the ablation processes of a range of sulfide minerals. A manuscript covering the results is in preparation.
• Developing detailed characterisation of ablation depth as a function of laser beam energy and pulse width.

This project aims to gain a better understanding of laser ablation processes, leading to improved analysis of geological materials, especially sulfide.

In 2016, the project received funding from Laurin Technic for a two-year project focussed on the characterisation of ablation processes in silicate minerals. Key research activities focussed on:

• Obtaining a detailed understanding of the importance of the optical design of laser microprobes on the ablation processes of a range of sulfide minerals. A manuscript covering the results is in preparation.
• Developing detailed characterisation of ablation depth as a function of laser beam energy and pulse width.

This project aims to gain a better understanding of laser ablation processes, leading to improved analysis of geological materials, especially sulfide.

In 2015, two new 4 ns pulse-width laser ablation systems (ArF 193 nm and KrF 248 nm excimer lasers) were installed, thus expanding the range of laser microprobes within the CODES Analytical Laboratories. Research was mainly focussed on understanding the impact of laser beam frequency, pulse width, and energy on the ablation of a range of sulfide minerals with small spot sizes. The main outcomes included:

• Improved capabilities for analysis of trace elements in copper-rich sulfide minerals by using the 248 nm 4 ns excimer laser, which reduces signal drop for small spot size analyses (beam size < 25 um). Morphologies of ablation craters in sulfide minerals, produced by different laser microprobes, were compared using a high-resolution FE-SEM at the UTAS Central Science Laboratory, revealing variations in the amount and distribution of melted material.
• Ablation characteristics of pyrite are dependent on the amount and range of trace elements present as micro-inclusions. Pyrites with a large concentration of micro inclusions are characterised by a more regular ablation, leading to a different behaviour of sulfur.
• Demonstration of the ability of the high sensitivity 248 nm LA-ICP-MS system to characterise micron-scale gold rims on pyrite grains by utilising a small beam size (~4 μm).