Laser induced breakdown spectrometer

FFF-ICP-MS The ICP-MS is a multielement analysis tool ideally suited for direct coupling with FFF. The ICP torch is capable of vaporizing and ionizing particles in the eluent up to 10 pm, and the plasma is then fed into an MS for simultaneous detection of many elements. Quadripole, mass-sector, and time of flight MSs are now available, depending on the sensitivity, mass resolution, and response time required. FFF-ICP-MS yields element-based size distributions. Other element detection systems that have been used include ICP-AESs, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometers, and very recently laser-induced breakdown spectrometers. 

A further interesting development is the portable laser-induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS), first described by Palanco et al. [591]. Here, a hand-held probe... 

Fig. 7. Block diagram of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy experimental setup (A) pulsed laser, (B) focusing optics, (C) microplasma, (D) collection optics, (E) spectrometer, and (F) data analyzer.

The technique based on laser-induced breakdown coupled to mass detection, which should thus be designated LIB-MS, is better known as laser plasma ionization mass spectrometry (LI-MS). The earliest uses of the laser-mass spectrometry couple were reported in the late 1960s. Early work included the vaporization of graphite and coal for classifying coals, elemental analyses in metals, isotope ratio measurements and pyrolysis [192]. Later work extended these methods to biological samples, the development of the laser microprobe mass spectrometer, the formation of molecular ions from non-voIatile organic salts and the many multi-photon techniques designed for (mainly) molecular analysis [192]. 

The Curiosity rover has a whole suite of chemistry tools on board. The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) tool is probably the coolest. This instrument breaks down rocks and bits of soil by firing a (freaking) laser at the target. The elements that made up that rock are then detected by atomic emission spectroscopy. Curiosity also contains an alpha particle (He + ion) X-ray spectrometer (APXS), which is also used to measure what elements make up a sample. If the NASA scientists want to know more... 

Understanding how nanoenergetic materials are both made and consumed requires the ability to monitor these processes widi real time in-situ diagnostic techniques. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an optical technique that can detect all the elements simultaneously from very small sanq>les of material. Only four elements are needed to implement this technique an excitation source, delivery and collecting optics, a detector with wavelength dispersion capability, and a conqtuter for control and anal is. Because of these relatively sinq>le requirements, a conq>lete LIBS system can be made contact, rugged, and fairly ine q>ensively. Spectrometers are now becoming commercially... 

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a relatively new atomic emission spectroscopy technique that uses a pulsed laser as the excitation sonrce. LIBS is also referred to as laser spark spectroscopy (LASS) and laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, with the unfortunate acronym of LIPS. The technique was developed in the early 1960s, after the invention of the laser, but the high cost and large size of lasers and spectrometers made this a specialized research tool until the 1990s. The early development of LIBS is covered in the reference by Myers et al. Recent advances... 

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