A Study of the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Carbon in the Ultraviolet Wavelength Range Under Vacuum Conditions

Abstract

The influence of a vacuum on the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of carbon in the ultraviolet wavelength range is studied. Experiments are performed with graphite using a LIBS system, which consists of a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, a vacuum pump, a spectrometer and a vacuum chamber. The vacuum varies from 10 Pa to 1 atm. Atomic lines as well as singly and doubly charged ions are confirmed under the vacuums. A temporal evolution analysis of intensity is performed for the atomic lines of C I 193.09 nm and C I 247.86 nm under different vacuum conditions. Both time-integrated and time-resolved intensity evolutions under vacuums are achieved. The lifetimes of the two atomic lines have similar trends, which supports the point of view of a 'soft spot'. Variations of plasma temperature and electron density under different vacuums are measured. This study is helpful for research on carbon detection using LIBS under vacuum conditions.

Quantitative analysis of C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr and Cu in low-alloy steel under ambient conditions via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

“…Owing to these technical advantages of LIBS, it was described as 'a future super star' in a review article written by Winefordner, who is a worldrenowned analytical spectroscopist [5]. There are many studies on quantitative elemental analysis of steel using LIBS [6][7][8][9]. Gonzalez and his group executed the sulfur LIBS analysis in steel with the reported calibrations within the concentration range of 0.008%-0.28%, and a detection limit of 70 ppm was obtained [10].…”

Relative spectral response calibration using Ti plasma lines

“…Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a promising analytical method in many fields [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. This technique is a type of optical emission spectroscopy that uses a laser pulse as the excitation source.…”