A fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy probe for remote elemental analysis
- Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States)
A fiber-optic probe suitable for remote elemental analysis using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has been developed. It currently utilizes one optical fiber for delivery of a high power laser pulse and another for collection of the LIBS signal. In most applications a 532 nm Nd:YAG laser is launched into an excitation optical fiber and focused on the sample at the distal end. This results in the formation of a hot plasma on the surface of the sample. Atomic emission from the plasma is then collected by another optical fiber and delivered to a spectrograph where it is measured using an intensified diode array detector. This technique requires no sample preparation. We are developing several applications of this probe including the in-situ determination of lead in paint, solder, soils and other matrices. A typical analysis of lead in paint requires less than 10 seconds and the analysis can even be performed through overlayers of non lead-containing paint. This paper will discuss the optimization of laser/fiber coupling, the focusing optics of the probe, and the detection system. We will also discuss alternate probe designs. Other applications for this remote LIBS probe include determination of RCRA metals in soil, and the determination of metals of glass.
- OSTI ID:
- 466517
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951017--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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