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Microanalysis by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy in the vacuum ultraviolet
Igor Radivojevic1, Christoph Haisch, Reinhard Niessner
1Institute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Marchioninistrsse 17, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 17, 2004
Summary
A novel setup for vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser-induced plasma spectroscopy enables microanalysis with high spectral resolution. This system achieves low detection limits for elements like sulfur in steel and maps heterogeneous samples, advancing materials analysis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microanalysis requires high sensitivity and spatial resolution for detailed material characterization.
- Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopy offers unique analytical capabilities but faces technical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present and detail a new setup for microanalysis using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) in the VUV range.
- To evaluate the system's performance for elemental detection and spatial mapping in complex matrices.
Main Methods:
- Development of an integrated ablation and detection module featuring a novel VUV echelle spectrometer.
- Characterization of spectral coverage (150-300 nm) and resolving power (11,000-15,000).
- Assessment of ablation module performance for microanalysis (25 µm crater size, 150 nm/pulse ablation rate).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated VUV performance for bulk analysis of steel, achieving low milligram per kilogram detection limits for sulfur, carbon, and phosphorus.
- Illustrated VUV scanning and mapping capabilities on heterogeneous mineral bottom ash samples from waste incineration.
Conclusions:
- The new VUV LIPS system provides effective microanalysis capabilities with high spectral resolution.
- The system is suitable for both bulk elemental analysis and spatially resolved characterization of complex materials.