The Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) plans the purchase of a laser ablation system to be coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The instrument is intended as direct solid sampling for elemental and isotopic analysis by ICP-MS. The instrument is to be used at the European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Nuclear Safeguards and Forensics Unit, and to be coupled to a multi-collector ICP-MS (open glove-box) and a single-collector ICP-MS (nuclearised closed glove box via a dedicated inlet system designed by ITU). The system must operate with a UV laser, including optics with optical energy attenuation, with a homogenized and flat-top energy profile laser beam. The system must have a computer-controlled video microscope, together with an overall software control.

The contract is aiming at the procurement of a laser ablation system. In order to perform faster analysis and lower sample consumption, the EC JRC-ITU intends to supply a laser ablation system for the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS). By this means the illicit and safeguards samples can be analysed faster (within a day) and in a quasi-non-destructive method consuming less than a microgram of the material. Currently about 1 week is needed to perform such analysis by mass spectrometry, requiring more than 100 mg of sample. Laser ablation will result in a faster reporting to the requesting authorities, preservation of the forensic evidence and minimising the generated waste. 1 instrument is to be supplied. The supply contract shall include complementary services like delivery of relevant documentation, the equipment test and calibration, warranty and related services.