Quantification of rare earth elements using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract

A study of the optical emission as a function of concentration of laser-ablated yttrium (Y) and of six rare earth elements, europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), and samarium (Sm), hasbeen evaluated using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. Statistical methodology using multivariate analysis has been used to obtain the sampling errors, coefficient of regression, calibration and crossvalidationof measurements as they relate to the LIBS analysis in graphite-matrix pellets that were doped with elements at severalconcentrations. Each element (in oxide form) was mixed in the graphite matrix in percentages ranging from 1% to 50% by weight and the LIBS spectra obtained for each composition as well as for pure oxide samples. Finally a single pellet was mixed with all the elements in equal oxide masses to determine if we can identify the elemental peaks in a mixed pellet. This dataset is relevant for future application to studies of fission product content and distribution in irradiated nuclear fuels. These results demonstrate that LIBS

Micro-Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A Novel Approach Used in the Detection of Six Rare Earths and One Transition Metal

“…The authors have further identified the emission peaks for these samples that are detected in the UV-region of the wavelength region (190-450 nm). More detailed spectral features have been shown and discussed in another publication [8]. The distinguishing features for all the elements that were studied are shown in Table 1.…”

“…The last two channels, Channel 5 (496-718 nm) and Channel 6 (716-904 nm) both have a FWHM of 0.18 nm, Applied Photonics Ltd (Skipton, UK) has provided the ability for optical collection of the emission from the spark that is generated on the sample surface and delivery to a bank of CCD array spectrometers and detector system. This provides the dual-use capability for the modified instrument and allows for in situ qualitative identification of materials in principle [8]. This report seeks to validate these capabilities and prove its usefulness as a spectroscopic instrument.…”

“…For isotopes such as Pu-238 or Cm-244, glove boxes are typically limited to subgram quantities, and chemical hoods to submicrograms [3,5]. The rare earths have been chosen to be studied based on the information Minerals 2019, 9, 103 2 of 11 provided in Reference [7], which reports that in a nuclear fission reaction,~18% of fissions produce Nd atoms, 13% Ce atoms (previously studied [8]), 6% La and Pr, 4% Y and Sm, 0.6% Eu, and 0.3% Gd. These same elements have been studied previously to obtain quantitative analysis using PLS (partial least square) technique in a prior publication by the same authors [8].…”

“…The rare earths have been chosen to be studied based on the information Minerals 2019, 9, 103 2 of 11 provided in Reference [7], which reports that in a nuclear fission reaction,~18% of fissions produce Nd atoms, 13% Ce atoms (previously studied [8]), 6% La and Pr, 4% Y and Sm, 0.6% Eu, and 0.3% Gd. These same elements have been studied previously to obtain quantitative analysis using PLS (partial least square) technique in a prior publication by the same authors [8]. A number of articles have been published describing the detection and monitoring of europium oxides and Eu 2+ in colloids [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Geological Samples Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

“…Most of the published studies are either on the standard samples or samples mixed with pure oxides of REEs. 13–18 Abedin et al. 19 and Phuoc et al.…”