Laser-induced breakdown examples

This overview on analytical atomic spectrometry touches on the basics of three dominant methods of conducting optical spectroscopy for the purposes of qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis. There are a number of variations in sources, atom cells, dispersive devices, etc. that have not been discussed. As an example, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy employs a high-intensity laser to ablate samples where the extreme radiant energy also produces a plasma that ultimately produces electronic excitation of the ablated material. Similarly, there are a number of nonoptical approaches that represent variations of some of these schemes that have... 

Laser-induced breakdown spectrometry enables simultaneous analysis of various elements in a short time. The obtained sensitivity for sulfur is not, however, as good as with the ICP techniques. For example, a detection limit of 45 pg per g for sulfur in steel has been obtained using this technique. 

The methods most widely in use now for understanding and monitoring chemical processes that affect our environment and the atmosphere are those of TDLAS, and remote absorption/Raman spectroscopy based on lidar (absoiption-Hdar/ Raman-lidar). Application examples of these two techniques are outlined in Sections 28.1—28.3 and Sections 28.4-28.6 respectively. The chapter will conclude with the description of some less-developed techniques, which, however, provide information not easily obtained, or not accessible at all. All of them are based on ionization in one form or other, and include laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDl) and aerosol TOFMS (ATOFMS). Examples of these are provided in Section 28.7. 

The Applications of Laser-induced Time-resolved Spectroscopic Techniques chapter starts with a short description of laser-induced spectroscopies, which may be used in combination with laser-induced luminescence, namely Breakdown, Raman and Second Harmonic Generation. The chapter contains several examples of the application of laser-based spectroscopies in remote sensing and radiometric sorting of minerals. The proljlem of minerals as geomaterials for radioactive waste storage is also considered. 

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