In-situ trace element analysis of clinopyroxene on thin section by using LA-ICP-MS

Among the common minerals of the spinel peridotites, clinopyroxene is the main carrier of trace elements and serves as a tracer of geological mantle processes. The trace element composition of clinopyroxenes on a thin section 30 μm thick was measured using LA-ICP-MS. The repeatability of thin section analysis was better than 3% at the 2 sigma level. When using a 213 nm laser with a 55 μm beam size, optimal analytical conditions for the LA-ICP-MS were determined to be a 55% energy level (9 J/cm 2 ) and 10 Hz repetition rate, giving a penetration speed of clinopyroxene of 0.17 μm/pulse. Overall, the LA-ICP-MS technique can be used to determine the trace element composition of clinopyroxenes on thin sections with reasonable precision, accuracy, and limit of detection.