Non-selective photoionization for isotope ratio measurements by time of ¯ight mass spectrometry with laser ablation

Isotope ratio measurements of metallic uranium samples were carried out by linear TOF mass spectrometry in combination with laser ablation. To eliminate the problems resulting from laser plasma ion energy and spatial dispersions, the uranium atoms were post-ionized by the third harmonic of a Nd-YAG laser. Experimental and theoretical results of the LA-TOF performance and non-selective photoionization of uranium atoms produced by laser ablation are presented. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved