Detection of chlorine and fluorine in air by laser-induced breakdown spectrometry

Journal Article · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1982 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00259a017· OSTI ID:6923231

Cremers, D A; Radziemski, L J

The use of laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) to spectrometrically detect chlorine and fluorine if air directly is investigated. A laser-generated spark is used to atomize chlorine- and fluorine-bearing molecules. The atoms are then electronically excited by the high temperatures of the spark. Emission from the neutral atoms is spectrally and temporally resolved to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. Optimization of the time window and laser power for minimum detection limits is discussed. The use of LIBS to determine the ratios of the numbers of different types of atoms on a molecule is considered. Minimum detectable concentrations of chlorine and fluorine in air are 8 and 38 ppm (w/w), respectively. Minimum detectable masses of chlorine and fluorine are, respectively, 80 ng and 2000 ng in air and 3 ng for both atoms in He. The precision for replicate sample analysis is 8% RSD. 3 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6923231
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 55:8; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACCURACY
AEROSOLS
AIR
ATOMIZATION
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINE
COLLOIDS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
FLUORINE
GASES
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENS
INFORMATION
LASER RADIATION
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIATIONS
RESOLUTION
SENSITIVITY
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
SOLS
SPECTRA
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TIME RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES
TRACE AMOUNTS
ULTRAHIGH TEMPERATURE