Laser Ablation
Laser Ablation is a process where an intense laser beam is focused on a solid sample until a portion of it evaporates or sublimates. A plume of vapor and fine particulates are then swept into an atomizer by the flow of an inert gas. Laser ablation is appropriate for conductive or non-conductive, organic or inorganic, and powdered or solid samples. The laser can pulsed or be continuous.
In pulse laser ablation the time of pulses can vary over a wide range of milliseconds, which can be highly controlled. This is important for many applications including microanalysis and nano-material (Mao). The total mass ablated from the sample per laser pulse is referred to as ablation rate.
With a continuous wave, it is possible to ablate a sample with a continuous laser beam, if the beam is powerful enough.
Nebulizers
A nebulizer is a device that introduces a liquid sample into the AAS. Here, we will discuss the most common types: pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulizers.
Pneumatic Nebulizers
A pneumatic nebulizer converts a sample solution into an aerosol of tiny droplets using a jet of compressed gas. The flow of inert gas carries the droplets to an atomizer. Several versions of pneumatic nebulizers are available and a few are shown below.
Ultrasonic Nebulizers
An ultrasonic nebulizer creates an aerosol of tiny droplets by pumping a sample solution onto the surface of a piezoelectric crystal that vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz to several MHz. The vibrations convert the sample into a dense and more homogeneous aerosol than what a pneumatic nebulizer can achieve. However, viscous liquids and particulates lower its efficiency. The aerosol is then carried to an atomizer by an inert gas.
For a more in-depth discussion, see the link below where Dr. Scheeline and Dr. Spudich explain nebulizers in the AES learning module. http://www.asdlib.org/learningModules/AtomicEmission/liquid-introduction.html