Characterization of Sheet Glass Based on Trace Elements Analysis Using LA-ICP-MS and Their Applications to Forensic Science

Abstract

The application of LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) to the chemical characterization of sheet glass was investigated in order to discriminate samples of different origins. A total of 16 patterned sheet-glass samples with different design and thickness, produced by 3 glass manufacturers in Japan, were used for the analysis. Laser ablation analysis was performed with a 213 nm Nd : YAG laser. The analytical results obtained by LA-ICP-MS were good agreement with those obtained by solution ICP-MS for a solution prepared by acid digestion. The concentrations of trace-elements, such as Co, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, La and Ce, which exist as impurities at the ppm level in glass, showed the characteristic composition to each sample, and were useful for forensic discrimination. LA-ICP-MS requires smaller samples and a much shorter sample preparation time than does the solution method; therefore, this method is useful for the actual forensic analysis of glass.