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LIBS
LIBS Principle and Composition
When a high-energy laser pulse irradiates the surface of a material, the extremely high power density of the laser causes the material surface to rapidly melt, evaporate, and vaporize. A plasma cloud forms near the material surface, containing a large number of molecules, atoms, ions, electrons, and cluster structures. These particles rapidly expand along the normal direction of the sample surface. Subsequently, the trailing edge of the laser pulse reheats and ionizes these expanding particles, ultimately forming a laser-induced plasma.
The emission spectra of atoms and ions within the plasma are analyzed using a spectrometer to identify the elemental composition of the sample. This enables material identification, classification, and qualitative as well as quantitative analysis.
This technique is called Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, abbreviated as LIBS. A LIBS system consists of a high-energy pulsed laser, a laser focusing system, a spectral collection system, a spectrum analyzer, and analysis software.
| Lasers for LIBS LIBS systems typically use high-energy pulsed lasers, with a common wavelength of 1064 nm (other wavelengths like 532nm, 355nm, 266nm are available). Pulse width is typically ns or ps level, with single-pulse energy in the µJ, mJ, or J range (selected based on the sample state: solid, liquid, gas). |
Quantitative LIBS analysis demands strict laser requirements: high energy stability, frequency stability, and low pulse jitter (typically <1 ns). Lasers must support external triggering for pulse output control, Q-switch/TTL synchronization, and synchronization with the spectrometer.
The table below suggests laser parameters for different sample states. CNI offers lasers with various energies, pulse widths, and repetition rates, including portable air-cooled, high-energy air-cooled, and higher-energy water-cooled models, known for stability, environmental adaptability, reliability, and long lifespan. Visit www.cnilaser.com for details.
Sample State | LIBS Application Example | Recommended Laser Parameters | Notes |
Solid | Metal samples (metals, alloys, steel, ores) | High-energy pulsed laser, E: 100µJ ~ 10mJ | Good thermal conductivity, sufficient laser energy. |
Non-metal multi-component samples (heavy metals in soil, fertilizer analysis, coal analysis) | Low rep-rate, high-energy pulsed laser, E: 10mJ ~ 100mJ | Samples prone to chemical reactions or combustion at high temps. | |
Liquid | Liquid samples (seawater, industrial wastewater) | High-energy pulsed laser, E: 100mJ ~ 500mJ | Liquid surface fluctuation affects stability due to plasma shockwaves. |
Gas | Gas or aerosol (air components, pollutants, exhaust) | Low rep-rate, high-energy pulsed laser, E: 500mJ ~ 1000mJ | High breakdown threshold requires high-energy laser. |
Spectrometers for LIBS
High spectrometer resolution is crucial in LIBS to accurately identify characteristic peaks of different elements. Higher resolution often reduces wavelength range, addressed by using multi-channel spectrometers to expand the spectral range.
CNI provides LIBS spectrometers, customizable by channel count and spectral range. Multi-channel spectrometers have built-in sync delays and support internal/external trigger modes. CNI also offers specialized software for Spectral Analysis and LIBS. Visit www.cnilaser.com / www.cnilaser.net for details.
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Miniature High-Resolution Spectrometers | Multi-Channel Fiber Optic Spectrometers |
Common multi-channel configurations are listed below. Users can select or customize based on required spectral range and resolution.
Multi-channel Option 1 (Spectral Range: 250-1050nm)
Wavelength range | 250-450nm | 450-650nm | 650-850nm | 850-1050nm |
Resolution | 0.16nm | 0.18nm | 0.2nm | 0.2nm |
Multi-channel Option 2 (Spectral Range: 250-650nm)
Wavelength range | 250-450nm | 450-650nm |
Resolution | 0.16nm | 0.18nm |
Multi-channel Option 3 (Spectral Range: 250-645nm
Wavelength range | 250-340nm | 340-420nm | 420-645nm |
Resolution | 0.12nm | 0.1nm | 0.18nm |
Multi-channel Option 4 (Spectral Range: 249-443nm)
Wavelength range | 249-284nm | 284-333nm | 333-364nm | 364-404nm | 404-443nm |
Resolution | 0.05nm | 0.05nm | 0.08nm | 0.08nm | 0.08nm |
Characteristic LIBS Spectral Lines of Common Elements
LIBS is a fast, sensitive, and reliable elemental analysis technology used in environmental monitoring, metal smelting control, material analysis, food safety, biomedicine, military applications, and heritage identification.
In August 2012, NASA's Curiosity rover used LIBS to analyze Martian soil/rock composition, searching for light elements (C, N, O) to assess potential organic matter. Its LIBS system used a high-energy ns-pulsed laser. Data processing was handled by Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The table lists characteristic peaks for some elements.
LIBS spectral feature peaks of selected elements | |
Element | Typical feature peak / nm |
Na | 588.9 |
Mg | 285.21 |
Al | 396.15 |
Yes | 517.37 |
Ca | 551.3 |
You | 498.17 |
Cr | 425.44 |
Mn | 322.79 |
Fe | 404.58 |
You | 553.4 |
Cu | 570.02 |
Zn | 334.50 |
Pb | 338.28 |
Cd | 260.85 |
Mo | 423.26 |
Ag | 430.02 |
Co | 344.1 |
We measured the LIBS spectrum of a non-environmentally friendly solder and confirmed the presence of Pb inside.
Similarly, when we analyze soil samples contaminated with heavy metals, we can identify the presence of heavy metal pollutants such as Mn and Hg.
LIBS spectrum of non-environmentally friendly solder | LIBS Spectra of Contaminated Soil |
Changchun New Industries Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 888 Jinhu Road, High-Tech Zone, Changchun, 130103, P.R.China
International Tel:+86-431-85603799
Email: sales@cnilaser.com
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