Incorporation of laser ablation into a proton probe system to study laser ablation of corrosion products, and enhance the probe's analytical capabilities

Abstract The Oxford University Scanning Proton Microprobe Unit has been responsible for many advances in the field of focused proton beams for analytical microscopy, including being the first to develop the optimized electro-magnetic lenses used to focus high-energy protons to the micron and sub-micron level. This has led to a revolution in using the proton microprobe as an analytical tool for the study of materials. Continuing the tradition of innovation at the Oxford SPM unit, the use of laser ablation to reduce the need for sampling or cleaning of art and archaeological objects, before analysis, is being investigated. Further, information on the makeup of corrosion layers and past conservation treatments is becoming available via this technique.