Single-pulse underwater laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with nongated detection scheme

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Atomic Spectroscopy
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Investigated spatially resolved emission spectra of Aluminum (Al) atoms in a micro-scale laser ablation plasma generated in water.
• Utilized a single long-pulse laser irradiation of an Al target.

Discussion:

• Observed significant variations in spectral features based on measurement position within the plasma.
• Determined that the plasma periphery density is low enough to avoid self-absorption, even for resonance lines.

Key Insights:

• Achieved well-resolved spectral lines by selecting specific spatial positions, eliminating the need for time-gated detection.
• Demonstrated that spatial resolution is a critical factor in obtaining high-quality spectral data in underwater LIBS.

Outlook:

• Suggests that time-gating may be unnecessary for practical underwater laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) applications.
• Highlights the potential for simplified experimental setups in underwater LIBS by prioritizing spatial detection systems.