Enhanced Software Integration between SEM and Laser Ablation Instrumentation for a Simpler Workflow and Higher Throughput

We present a novel approach to importing coordinates placed in Zeiss microscopy instruments directly into ActiveView2 laser ablation software.

It is now very common for the analyst to perform microscopy on their samples to determine the desired target for subsequent Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). A classic example of this workflow would be in zircon geochronology (U/Pb) in which the analyst will utilizes Cathode Luminescence (CL) prior to LA-ICP-MS analysis. Often the number of samples to be analysed by these methods can be in the hundreds in any 24hr period.

Currently there has been none, or very limited integration, between the SEM and LA-ICP-MS instruments which means that the analyst is forced to (1) manually export XY coordinates from the SEM, (2) Re-configure the data into a format accepted by the LA instrument, (3) Manually import the new co-ordinates (4) Align the positions to the LA XY stage using a re-coordination procedure. This process is manual, cumbersome and error-prone. With the new approach, the workflow is simplified, resulting in higher throughout and less opportunity for error.