Sample preparation for laser ablation

1 mm deep each) was required for analysis. In this way, some analytical parameters such as the dependence of the expected relative standard deviation on the number of craters examined were determined. The minimum mass to be used was estimated from the number of craters to be obtained. The results were only semi-quantitative in most cases. In some special cases, quantitative analysis was possible provided the analyte was nearly uniformly distributed or the number of craters studied was increased in accordance. 

In some cases, it helps to either polish or etch the surface of a solid sample — unless correlation between surface topography and composition is important. Small samples such as pins or crystals can be embedded in an epoxy cast and analysed either directly or after polishing the cast surface. Otherwise, small samples can simply be stuck into a piece of putty or onto tape or an adhesive pad. Because the sample cell is not evacuated, outgassing of the support material is not a problem with this approach. 

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