Application of Laser Induced Plasma Spectroscopy to the Analysis of Rock Samples†

Abstract

Laser induced plasma spectroscopy has been applied to the analysis of element distribution mapping of polished rock sections. The plasma was generated by focusing a frequency-doubled second harmonic 532 nm Nd : YAG laser on the target under atmospheric conditions. The experimental parameters, such as laser energy, atomic emission line and time profile of the plasma spectrum, were characterized to obtain optimum experimental conditions and estimate the element composition of the target surface. For the element mapping of samples, an X-Y stage was used to move the sample and an element image of 50 3 50 mm could be made in 30 min. Using this technique, the element concentration distribution of Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Si and Sr in polished rock sections were obtained. Quantitative analysis was achieved by analyzing standard rock samples. Calibrated concentration versus plasma intensity was used for the color grading for the mapping of element concentration distribution.

Analysis of Minerals and Rocks by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

“…Moreover, the ablation process depends on the target properties. [9,10] In this direction, several methods for overcoming matrix effects have been successfully employed, but these are time-consuming. [11] In the case of samples collected from the field, that is, geological and archaeological fragments, LIBS analysis is based on obtaining the overall composition through inspection of the target by producing a small crater on its surface that is replicated at different places, assuming that the plasma composition is representative of that of the sample previous to the laser ablation (stoichiometric ablation).…”

Geological Applications of Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

“…The intensity of a peak emitted from an element of interest is the most commonly contoured feature (Yoon et al 1997, Novont y et al 2008. Currently, such maps are made with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microprobe.…”

“…This quality has been utilised in studies of provenance or correlation (McManus et al 2008, Harmon et al 2011, Hark et al 2012, McMillan et al 2012. LIBS spectra are also useful for understanding the spatial distribution of elements by making chemical maps or traverses (Yoon et al 1997, Barbini et al 2002, Menut et al 2003, Novont y et al 2008). LIBS spectra are also useful for understanding the spatial distribution of elements by making chemical maps or traverses (Yoon et al 1997, Barbini et al 2002, Menut et al 2003, Novont y et al 2008).…”

Use of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the Detection of Glycemic Elements in Indian Medicinal Plants

“…Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) distribution maps of carbon contamination on silicon were presented. The use of LIBS for quantitatively mapping the multielement distribution on polish rock and for copper in printed circuits was proposed by Yoon et al and Kim et al [36, 37]. …”