An Evaluation Of Factors Affecting The Analysis Of Metals Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Some of the main factors affecting the analysis of solid steel using laser-induced break-down spectroscopy (LIBS) have been investigated and are reported here. Pulses from an electro-optically Q-switched Nd:YAG laser were focused on steel samples to generate a high temperature plasma. The spectrally resolved plasma light was time resolved and detected using a photodiode array. The effects that changes in the lens-to-sample distance, laser pulse energy, and position of the imaging lens had on the LIBS analysis are described. These effects were minimized by ratioing the absolute element signals to adjacent Fe-lines. Calibration curves for Mn, Si, and Cr are presented and the accuracy and precision of LIBS analysis listed for several elements.