Open AccessCarbon analysis of steel using compact spectrometer and passively Q-switched laser for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Volker Sturm,
Benjamin Erben,
Rüdiger Fleige,
Witalij Wirz
Publication year - 2019
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.27.036855
Subject(s) - laser induced breakdown spectroscopy , materials science , spectrometer , laser , spectroscopy , optics , argon , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , detection limit , diode , carbon fibers , optoelectronics , atomic physics , chemistry , composite number , physics , quantum mechanics , chromatography , composite material
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is carried out with compact 1064 nm laser and spectrometer components which are suitable for handheld applications. Bursts of ∼0.6 mJ, 5 ns laser pulses are generated by a passively Q-switched laser with a 1 kHz triggered pump diode. The miniature spectrometer with a set wavelength range of ∼188-251 nm has an instrumental broadening at the carbon analyte line, C I 193.09 nm, of less than 36 pm. Analytical calibration curves of C, as well as Cr, Ni, and Si are taken with certified reference samples of iron and steel in an argon purged setup. The net duration of the laser bursts is ∼0.7-1.4 s for a measurement, depending on the number of repetitions on the sample surface. The limit of detection (LOD) is determined to a mass fraction of 34 µg/g for C. High-alloy steels 1.4306 (0.01% C) and 1.4541 (0.035% C) are separated clearly by the LIBS measurement of carbon.