LIBS Analysis of Geomaterials: Comparative Study of Basalt Plasma Induced by TEA CO₂ and Nd:YAG Laser in Air at Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

We present a study of the plasma generated by transversely excited atmospheric (TEA) CO2 laser irradiation of a basalt sample. The plasma was induced in air at atmospheric pressure. The same sample was also analyzed using a commercial LIBS system based on Nd:YAG laser and time-gated detection. The main plasma parameters, temperature, and electron number density were determined and analytical capabilities of the two systems compared. Despite differences in laser wavelength, pulse duration, applied fluence, and signal detection scheme, the two systems are comparable in terms of element detectability and limits of detection. In both cases, all elements usually present in geological samples were identified. The estimated limits of detection for most elements were below 100 ppm, while for Cu, Cr, and Sr they were around or below 10 ppm. The obtained results led to the conclusion that simple, cost-effective TEA CO2 LIBS system can find applications for geological explorations.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy-Based Coal-Rock Recognition: An in Situ Sampling and Recognition Method

“…As a consequence, over the last two decades, LIBS has been widely applied in a variety of fields, such as environmental monitoring [17,18], biomedical applications [19,20], archeological investigations [21,22], pharmaceutical applications [23,24], extraterrestrial explorations [25][26][27][28], hazardous materials identification [29], nuclear fuel characterization [30,31], and geological material characterization [26,32,33]. In addition, LIBS has also been used to detect insulation failures in the power supplies used in medium voltage applications [34].…”

LIBS Monitoring and Analysis of Laser-Based Layered Controlled Paint Removal from Aircraft Skin

“…is technology is characterized by efficiency and accuracy [7]. Nowadays, there are abundant LIBS systems that have been maturely applied in Mars exploration [8,9], medicine [10], food [11], environmental monitoring [12], cultural relics and works of art [13], metal recycling [14], and soil composition analysis [15].…”

Localized microwave-heating (LMH) of basalt – Lava, dusty-plasma, and ball-lightning ejection by a “miniature volcano”

“…Plasmas are usually generated from basalts by various other means, not involving microwaves. The experimental studies reported in the literature include, for instance, plasma generated from basalt by CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers (for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS) 14 ; inductively-coupled plasmas of basalt in various forms (rock, fiber and glass) analyzed by atomic emission spectroscopy 15 ; and a plasma spray of basalt in powder form implemented in a basalt coating technique 16 .…”