Why doesn't laser ablation decompose sample

I was reading up on LA-ICP-MS and MALDI. All the sources I read for LA-ICP-MS simply say that when the laser hits the sample immediately goes into the gas phase. Why doesn't the laser immediately break fragile molecules?


MALDI makes sense to me. You put the sample in a matrix that absorbs UV really well then hit the matrix-sample mix with a bunch of UV. The matrix explodes essentially, pushing the sample into the gas phase. The key here is that most of the energy of the laser doesn't go into the sample. It goes into the matrix. This is why the sample doesn't break down. LA-ICP-MS doesn't have the matrix to protect the sample so what gives?


