MapIT!: a simple and user-friendly MATLAB script to elaborate elemental distribution images from LA-ICP-MS data

Abstract

The use of LA-ICP-MS imaging to study trace element distribution in solid samples has spread widely in the last few years throughout different disciplinary fields. This technique generates a large quantity of data that must be corrected for analytical and matrix effects and might not be easy to handle for non-experts. We present here a MATLAB® script, MapIT!, that allows fast treatment and correction of LA-ICP-MS data with minimum preparation of the raw data and the LA imaging in a short time (less than ∼30 minutes). The script is not specific for a single type of material, nor the spectrometer used for acquisition. It offers different types of calibration protocols (internal and external or only external) depending on the needs. We also present three application examples (a speleothem, a fossil tooth and a magmatic plagioclase sample) to show the potentiality of MapIT!. ESI accompanies this paper and elucidates the various steps of the data processing.