Laser Ablation Sampling With Low-Power Plasma: A LA-MIP-MS Instrument for Spaceflight

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Mass Spectrometry

Background:

• Traditional inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry (MS) is resource-intensive, using high power and gas flows.
• These limitations make conventional ICP-MS unsuitable for spaceflight applications, particularly for planetary missions requiring compact and efficient instrumentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a low-resource mass spectrometry system for in-situ chemical analysis during planetary science missions.
• To address the technology gap by creating a laser ablation microwave-induced plasma mass spectrometer (LA-MIP-MS) suitable for spaceflight.

Main Methods:

• Designed and developed a prototype LA-MIP-MS instrument.
• Utilized a low-pressure ( < 1 Torr) microwave-induced plasma ion source powered by 30 W and 50 mL/min of Helium.
• Interfaced the plasma source with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) for elemental and isotopic analysis of solid samples via laser ablation (266 nm).

Main Results:

• Achieved quantification accuracy for stainless steel within 1.4-4% of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) values.
• Demonstrated precision for elemental analysis ranging from ±9.1 to 22% (2σm).
• Measured Cu and Ni isotopic ratios with ±0.8-3% (2σm) precision and reproducibility from 0.12% to 11.8%.

Conclusions:

• The developed LA-MIP-MS enables elemental and isotopic analysis with significantly lower power and plasma gas requirements than commercial ICP-MS systems.
• This technology expands instrumentation options for planetary missions, offering a viable technique for terrestrial and spaceflight chemical analysis of geologic materials.