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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and its application to solution samples

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6886957
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new analytical technique, which is a variation of atomic emission spectroscopy. LIBS has been employed for the analysis of solution samples. Two different sample introduction approaches have been taken. First, solutions were converted to dry aerosols by nebulization into a heated spray chamber with an attached condenser. Second, an Isolated Droplet Generator (IDG) was used to break the solution sample into a stream of isolated nanoliter droplets. In both cases, the sample was directed through the focal point of a high-powered pulsed laser (Nd:YAG), in the form of an aerosol or a liquid stream and analyzed. The principles, the instrumentation and the application of LIBS to the determination of several elements are presented. The importance of time-resolution is demonstrated. Plasma characterization, based on the electron density, temperature and background emission was performed. Several experimental conditions were optimized. The linear dynamic range and detection limits are reported for both the aerosol and droplet stream approached. In the case of liquid streams, a Flow Injection (FI) system has been used to introduce samples to the IDG. Performance characteristics of the FI-IDG-LIBS method in terms of the effect of sample injection volume on sensitivity are given. Interelement studies as well as the feasibility of real sample analyses are discussed. Finally, the potential of the LIBS technique is illustrated.
Research Organization:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing (USA)
OSTI ID:
6886957
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English