Prospectives of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometry: More Sensitive, Precise and Flexible Analysis /In: Laser-Induced Plasmas: Theory and Applications/ Ethan J. Hemsworth, Edкнига
Место издания:Nova Science Publishers, Inc United States
Объём:
300 страниц
ISBN:978-1-61324-851-5
Монография
Аннотация:Laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) is one of the most promising and powerful methods for direct spectral analysis of different materials. The method is based on the use of the emission spectrum of laser-induced plasma on the surface or in the bulk of the analyzed sample. Processing of spectral data serves to quickly and effectively obtain information on the elemental composition of the target. The main advantages of this technique are the relatively simple instrumentation, the fast qualitative and quantitative determination of the light and heavy elements, the possibility of local and remote analysis etc. This chapter presents an overview of the actual state of art, main achievements and problems of LIBS over the past years. Progress of the laser systems, spectral devices and detectors for performance of LIBS are shortly discussed with respect to the future LIBS applications. Up to date the weak point of LIBS is insufficient sensitivity of the LIBS determination of microcomponents, particularly, in environmental objects. Methods for LIBS sensitivity enhancement, such as double-pulse ablation, a combination of LIBS with laser-induced fluorescence, the use of additional sources of excitation (spark) and confinement of plasma by magnetic field or shock wave and other specific approaches (microchip lasers, microwave excitation etc), are compared with respect to figures-of-merit. Minimal achievable detection limits of the most elements obtained until now are critically considered. The Achilles' heel of all analytical application of laser plasma is bad reproducibility due to laser energy instability and absence of local thermodynamic equilibrium. Modern approaches for improvement of LIBS reproducibility are illustrated and thoroughly discussed.