Micro-Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A Novel Approach Used in the Detection of Six Rare Earths and One Transition Metal
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was undertaken using an instrument which used a high-powered microscope to deliver the light and tightly focused the low energy laser beam onto the surface of a solid sample. A micro-plasma was generated on the surface of the sample under test even though the amount of energy/pulse from a beam of 532 nm was <1 mJ. Rare earth elements such as europium, gadolinium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, and a transition metal, yttrium, were tested. These elements are integral to nuclear fission reactions especially for estimation of actinide masses for non-proliferation “safeguards”. Each element was mixed in the graphite matrix in different percentages from 1% to 50% by weight and the LIBS spectra were obtained for each composition as well as after mixing each element in the same amount using oxides of the elements. The data for the 5% mixture of the rare earth elements with graphite powder along with the transition metal has been presented in this article. A micro-LIBS approach was used to show that these rare earth elements can be identified individually and in a complex mixture in glove boxes in which the microscope LIBS instrument is housed in a nuclear research environment.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM), Nuclear Materials Office
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1505313
- Journal Information:
- Minerals, Vol. 9, Issue 2; ISSN 2075-163X
- Publisher:
- MDPICopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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