Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): a new spectrochemical technique

Conference · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-39552-2_39· OSTI ID:5397429

Radziemski, L J; Loree, T R; Cremers, D A

We have used the breakdown spark from a focused laser beam to generate analytically useful emission spectra of minor constituents in air and other carrier gases. The medium was sampled directly. It was not necessary to reduce the sample to solution nor to introduce electrodes. The apparatus is particularly simple; a pulsed laser, spectrometer, and some method for time resolution. The latter is essential in laser-induced-breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) because of the strong early continuum. High temperatures in the spark result in vaporization of small particles, dissociation of molecules, and excitation of atomic and ionic spectra, including species which are normally difficult to detect. In one application, we have monitored beryllium in air at conventrations below 1 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/, which is below 1 ppB (w/w). In another we have monitored chlorine and fluorine atoms in real time. LIBS has the potential for real-time direct sampling of contaminants in situ.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5397429
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-82-465; CONF-820230-1; ON: DE82008175
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
640304 -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Collision Phenomena
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BERYLLIUM
CHLORINE
DESIGN
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTRA
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
EQUIPMENT
FLUORINE
HALOGENS
LASER RADIATION
METALS
MONITORING
NONMETALS
RADIATIONS
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
TRACE AMOUNTS