New Wave Research has unveiled the UP-213, a high-performance Nd:YAG deep UV (213 nm) laser ablation system. The UP-213 improves ablation of all materials for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, including fragile and easily cleaved minerals. It can be used with any ICP, noble gas or stable isotope mass spectrometer for solid sampling of semiconductor, geological, biological and environmental specimens. "Because the UP-213 system operates in the deep UV, it produces a fine particle distribution that increases transport efficiency of the aerosol, resulting in better sensitivities and minimal deposits at the plasma," said John Roy, vice president of New Wave Research Merchantek products. "The system also produces long, spike-free stable signals ideal for isotope ratios, and it's an excellent thin-film analysis tool, providing precision depth profiling and spot sizes to 5µm." The UP-213 is part of the new universal platform series from New Wave Research and is designed to be easily upgraded to accommodate newer features, wavelengths and software. Its standard configuration includes a high magnification video system with computer-controlled zoom, and a quick-change sample cell holder designed to accept standard 1-inch diameter slugs and thin sections. In addition, the system has precision stages with submicron resolution that accepts large format and specialized sample chambers, including liquid nitrogen chambers. The UP-213 also includes New Wave Research's acclaimed software package, which controls all laser parameters, sample viewing, stage positioning and gas routing functions, including triggering of the mass spectrometer for a fully automated ablation process.