As a microanalytical technique, laser ablation requires substantially less sample mass than solution ICP-MS. Picograms to femtograms of material are removed by laser ablation, making this a true minimally destructive approach to elemental analysis. In contrast to solution ICP- MS, LA-ICP-MS requires no chemical preparation of samples such as leaching, digestion, fusion, or liquid dilution. Many samples can be analyzed as received, while some may require mechanical preparation to ensure that the sample fits in the laser ablation cell and presents as smooth and flat a surface as possible to the laser. In addition to facilitating analysis of samples too small for solution ICP-MS (or too valuable for destructive analysis), laser ablation is ideally suited to analysis of difficult to digest materials like refractory minerals, metals, and alloys.