The goal of this research was to investigate the influence of the matrix on the laser-induced spectroscopy of magnesium. Powdered samples were used and were presented to the measurement as thin distributions on adhesive tape. A wide range of NIST certified reference materials were used as samples. With careful sample preparation and correction for sample surface density on the tape (determined by weighing), reasonable consistency in the Mg signal intensity was obtained regardless of sample matrix. Relative error of ∼10% and a precision of 10–20% were obtained for the determination of Mg in several certified samples.
