What is laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (laicpms)?

Chem. Analysis: First a laser beam is focused on a sample surface to generate fine particles = Laser Ablation. The particles are transported to a secondary excitation source for digestion and ionization of the sample. The excited ions in the plasma torch are subsequently introduced to a mass spectrometer detector for analysis to a part per billion sensitivity. Uses really tiny samples, gets results in a flash.