laser-activated microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA)

A microanalytical technique designed to detect and characterise the elemental composition of small sections of surfaces. A visible range laser is focussed, with a microscope, on the area of the  section to be analysed. This is followed by a pulsed high-energy laser beam to desorb and ionise  the elements present in that area. Areas as small as  0.5 micron can be defined. The ions so formed are analysed with a TOF mass spectrometer.