Evaluation of an Isolated Droplet Sample Introduction System for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Abstract

An isolated droplet generator (IDG) has been used as a novel solution sample introduction system for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The IDG converts liquid samples to equally-spaced, uniform-sized droplets. The droplets are introduced into the region where a high-powered Nd:YAG laser beam is focused. The resulting analyte emission is spectrally and temporally resolved. The dependence of analyte emission intensity on several parameters (droplet radius, droplet production frequency, etc.) is examined. A flow injection analysis (FIA) manifold has been used to introduce samples to the IDG for quantitative analysis. Performance characteristics of the FIA/IDG/LIBS method are given. Calibration curves linear over 3 orders of magnitude have been obtained for several elements. Detection limits for solutions with the FIA/IDG/ LIBS system are in the low ppm range.

Development of a continuous flow hydride generation laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic system: Determination of tin in aqueous environments

“…Liquid analysis by LIBS also suffers from poor signal quality, reduced plasma emission and low limits of detection due to shot to shot signal fluctuations. In order to overcome some of these difficulties, various approaches including: formation of the plasma on liquid surfaces [22], on droplets [23,24] on flowing-jet liquids [25] and use of double pulses for plasma formation [26,27] have been employed by several groups in LIBS community.…”

Rapid analysis of liquid formulations containing sodium chloride using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

“…Various approaches have been described in the literature that overcome these problems to different extents. These include analysing (i) the surface of a static liquid body [11][12][13][14][15], (ii) the surface of a vertical flow of liquid [16] or of infalling droplets [17], (iii) the bulk of a (static or moving) liquid [18,19], or (iv) a dried sample of the liquid deposited on a solid substrate [20].…”

Ultrasonic nebulization-sample introduction system for quantitative analysis of liquid samples by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

“…Analyzing elements directly from the bulk liquid [1,2] suffers from difficulties like splashing, bubble formation and shock wave formation after focusing the laser beam on liquids. In order to overcome those difficulties experienced in liquid analysis, plasma formation on liquid surfaces [3,4], on droplets [5,6], on flowing-jet liquids [7,8] and in cavitation bubbles [9] has been employed. Use of double pulses for plasma formation [10][11][12] has also been realized in liquid analysis by LIBS, with high sensitivity.…”