LASER ABLATION-INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA MASS SPECTROMETRY IN ARCHAEOMETRIC RESEARCH

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) is a solid sampling technique in continuous expansion in all types of research fields in which direct multi-elemental or isotopic analysis is required. In particular, this technique shows unique characteristics that made its use recommended in many archaeometric applications, where valuable solid artifacts are often the target samples, because it offers flexibility to achieve spatially resolved information tvilh high detectimi poiver and a ivide lineor range, ill aftist and straightforward way, and with minimal sample damage. The current review provides a systematic survey of publications that reported the use of LA-ICPMS in an archaeological context, highlights its main capabilities mid limitations and discusses the most relevant parameters that influence the performance of this technique for this type of application. (c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 29:55-78, 2010