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Microchip laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: a preliminary feasibility investigation
I B Gornushkin1, K Amponsah-Manager, B W Smith
1Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Applied Spectroscopy
|July 30, 2004
Summary
A microchip laser creates plasma for material analysis. This technique is effective for identifying elements using portable spectrometers, even in field applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a valuable technique for elemental analysis.
- Microchip lasers offer compact and efficient pulsed laser sources.
- Previous studies have explored various laser parameters and materials for LIBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using a commercial microchip laser for plasma generation and elemental analysis.
- To evaluate the characteristics of the laser-induced plasma and its emitted radiation.
- To assess the suitability of the technique for material identification using portable spectrometers.
Main Methods:
- A 7 microJ/pulse, 550 ps microchip laser was used to ablate various metal foils (Pb, Si, Cu, Fe, Ni, Ti, Zn, Ta, Mo) and a Si wafer.
- Plasma lifetime and continuum radiation were measured.
- Spectra were analyzed using portable grating spectrometers with non-gated detectors.
- The mass removed per pulse was quantified.
Main Results:
- Plasma lifetime was found to be comparable to the laser pulse duration (a few ns).
- Low plasma continuum radiation was observed, with some resonance lines exhibiting self-reversal.
- Sufficient mass (0.5-20 ng/pulse) was ablated for detection with portable spectrometers.
- Elemental spectra, including that of Cadmium (Cd), were successfully detected with a broadband portable spectrometer (200-950 nm).
Conclusions:
- Quantitative elemental analysis is possible with non-gated detectors, provided analytical lines are carefully selected.
- The microchip laser-induced plasma generates detectable spectra suitable for analysis with portable grating spectrometers.
- The combination of a microchip laser and a broadband portable spectrometer shows significant promise for rapid material identification, particularly in field settings.