Open AccessDeterminations of trace boron in superalloys and steels using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy assisted with laser-induced fluorescence
Author(s) -
Changmao Li,
Hao Zeng,
Zhimin Zou,
Ran Zhou,
Jiaming Li,
Lianbo Guo,
Xiangyou Li,
Yongfeng Lu,
Xiaoyan Zeng
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.007850
Subject(s) - laser induced breakdown spectroscopy , boron , materials science , spectroscopy , laser , laser induced fluorescence , analytical chemistry (journal) , fluorescence , spectral line , wavelength , fluorescence spectroscopy , superalloy , optics , optoelectronics , metallurgy , chemistry , microstructure , physics , organic chemistry , chromatography , quantum mechanics , astronomy
Boron (B) is widely applied in microalloying of metals. As a typical light element, however, determination of boron in alloys with complex matrix spectra is still a challenge for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) due to its weak line intensities in the UV-visible-NIR range and strong spectral interference from the matrix spectra. In this study, a wavelength-tunable laser was used to enhance the intensities of boron lines selectively. The intensities of B I 208.96 nm from boron plasmas were enhanced approximately 3 and 5.8 times while the wavelength-tunable laser was tuned to 249.68 and 249.77 nm, respectively. Utilizing the selective enhancement effect, accurate determinations of trace boron in nickel-based superalloys and steels were achieved by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy assisted by laser-induced fluorescence (LIBS-LIF), with limits of detection (LoDs) of 0.9 and 0.5 ppm, respectively. The results demonstrated that LIBS-LIF can hopefully be used in boron determinations and has great potential for improving the ability of LIBS to determine light elements in alloys with a complex matrix.