Microanalysis of tool steel and glass with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

A laser microscope system for the microanalytical characterization of complex materials is described. The universal measuring principle of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in combination with echelle optics permits a fast simultaneous multielement analysis with a possible spatial resolution below 10 pm. The developed system features completely UV-transparent optics for the laser-microscope coupling and the emission beam path and enables parallel signal detection within the wavelength range of 200-800 nm with a spectral resolution of a few picometers. Investigations of glass defects and tool steels were performed. The characterization of a glass defect in a tumbler by a micro-LIBS line scan, with use of a 266-nm diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser for excitation, is possible by simple comparison of plasma spectra of the defect and the surrounding area. Variations in the main elemental composition as well as impurities by trace elements are detected at the same time. Through measurement of the calibration samples with the known concentration of the corresponding element, a correlation between the intensity of spectral lines and the element concentration was also achieved. The change of elemental composition at the transient stellite solder of tool steels has been determined by an area scan. The two-dimensional pictures show abrupt changes of the element distribution along the solder edge and allow fundamental researches of dynamic modifications (e.g., diffusion) in steel.

Elemental profiling of laser cladded multilayer coatings by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy

“…Recently, it was demonstrated that laser induced breakdown spectroscopy can be utilized for express multielement analysis of laser clad coating [14]. LIBS is a laser based analytical technique quantifying elemental composition with high lateral resolution (typically, 10-50 µm) including depth profile analysis without any sample preparation [15][16][17][18] . The remarkable LIBS feature is a capability to perform simultaneous chemical mapping of almost all elements including light elements as carbon, boron or silicon.…”

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

“…Their emission spectra are measured at the range from UV to visible light, which is feasible by the most spectrometers. The spectra from many elements from the tool steel are shown by the Nd:YAG laser excitation [28]. In this research, the microscopic view of the ablated holes made on tool steel is about 10 microns in diameter.…”

Trends in Spectroscopic Techniques for Process Control

“…LIBS is often the technique of choice in heavy industry thanks to its remote capability and lack of sample preparation. It is used for microcharacterization of solid samples [58], in situ analysis of mineral and metal melts [59,60], and industrial monitoring [61]. Applied to pharmaceutical products, LIBS allows for rapid multicomponent analysis, depth profiling, and the assessment of product homogeneity [62].…”