The ablation and atomization process of solid samples into a buffer gas by pulsed laser radiation is discussed and the optimum conditions for elemental analysis by optical emission spectrometry and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) are described. Pulsed tunable dye lasers are used for LIF measurements. Improved LIF detection limits for some elements are reported. The physical processes which limit the detection of elements in the laser produced sample plume are discussed and theoretical estimates of relative detection limits are compared to the experimental results. Calibrations of LIF data by internal standardization are demonstrated with metallic and borax glass matrices.