Elemental Mapping of Printed Ink Using LA-ICP-MS and LIBS

This application note details the use of the J200 Tandem LA-LIBS instrument in combination with the Analytik Jena PlasmaQuant MS Elite ICP-MS for elemental mapping of printed ink. The document outlines how this combination allows for the simultaneous detection of elements, including non-metals, which are challenging to analyze with conventional methods. The J200 Tandem LA-LIBS instrument enhances the analytical capabilities by providing a wider elemental coverage and improving analysis time, thus increasing efficiency in industrial applications such as manufacturing and quality control. The analysis of a printed logo from a business card is presented, showcasing the detection of elements like Mg, Al, Ti, and Sr. The document also describes the operational parameters of both instruments and how the data is processed using Applied Spectra's Data Analysis Software Package. The findings indicate that this method can effectively map elemental distributions in various samples, providing valuable insights for further applications.