Non-equilibrium and equilibrium problems in laser-induced plasmas

Abstract Several problems which can determine non-equilibrium effects in laser-induced breakdown plasmas are analysed in this study. In particular, we focus our attention on problems associated with the fluid dynamics of the expanding plume, with time-dependent collisional-radiative models for describing the population densities of excited states, with the time-dependent Boltzmann equation for characterizing the electron energy distribution function in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) plasmas. The results show that these problems should be carefully taken into account for developing a calibration-free LIBS methodology. Finally, problems associated with equilibrium plasmas, and in particular the dependence of the partition function on the particular environment surrounding the different components of a plasma are discussed.

[1]  Alexandre A. Radzig,et al.  Handbook of Physical Quantities , 1997 .

[2]  S. Amoruso.  Modeling of UV pulsed-laser ablation of metallic targets , 1999 .

[3]  David A. Cremers,et al.  The Analysis of Metals at a Distance Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy , 1987 .

[4]  J. Jonkers,et al.  Fundamental comparison between non-equilibrium aspects of ICP and MIP discharges , 1999 .

[5]  M. Capitelli,et al.  The temporal evolution of population densities of excited states in atomic oxygen thin plasmas , 1976 .

[6]  G. Dilecce,et al.  Electron energy distribution functions in He/N2 mixtures in the presence of metastable states , 1990 .

[7]  A. Forchel,et al.  Thermodynamic properties of equilibrium and non-equilibrium plasmas in GaP , 1983 .

[8]  Antonio Palucci,et al.  Application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to the analysis of metals in soils , 1999 .

[9]  M. Capitelli,et al.  Problems of determination of high temperature thermodynamic properties of rare gases with application to mixtures , 1970, Journal of Plasma Physics.

[10]  Israel Schechter,et al.  Detector for trace elemental analysis of solid environmental samples by laser plasma spectroscopy , 1994 .

[11]  M. Venugopalan,et al.  Reactions under plasma conditions , 1971 .

[12]  D. R. Bates,et al.  Recombination between electrons and atomic ions, I. Optically thin plasmas , 1962, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[13]  TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF PARTIALLY IONIZED GASES , 1977 .

[14]  J. D. Winefordner,et al.  Variables Influencing the Precision of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Measurements , 1998 .

[15]  Antonio Palucci,et al.  Trace pollutants analysis in soil by a time-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique , 1996 .

[16]  V. Palleschi,et al.  Time-resolved LIBS experiment for quantitative determination of pollutant concentrations in air , 1991 .

[17]  E. Tognoni,et al.  New Procedure for Quantitative Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Plasma Spectroscopy , 1999 .

[18]  M. Capitelli,et al.  Some Aspects in Recombining Transient Nitrogen Plasmas Some Aspects in Recombining Transient Nitrogen Plasmas Some Aspects in Recombining Transient Nitrogen Plasmas Some Aspects in Recombining Transient Nitrogen Plasmas Some Aspects in Recombining Transient Nitrogen Plasmas Some Aspects in Recombini , 1978 .

[19]  D. Crosley,et al.  In uence of ambient conditions on the laser air spark , 1996, Laser Applications to Chemical, Security and Environmental Analysis.