Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and compact apparatus for laser induced breakdown atomic emission spectroscopy from a targeted sample having a laser generating a laser beam, the laser beam directed to the sample, optical means for manipulating the laser beam in order maximize laser fluency at the target surface of the sample, the laser beam generating ablation and plasma emission from the sample at the target surface, an emission spectrometer having a detector for detecting a plasma plume from the plasma emission.
Abstract:
The spectrometer comprises an entrance slit (1), a collimator mirror (2), a diffraction grating (3), a focusing mirror (4), an exit slit (5), and two additional exit slits (6, 7) behind which there are separate photodetectors (8, 9). Both additional exit slits (6, 7) are located symmetrically in relation to the first exit slit (5) which constitutes the nominal slit of the monochromator.
Abstract:
A method for determining geochemistry of at least one geological sample with laser-induced breakdown spectral measurements performed on the geological sample in a time variant manner with spectral acquisitions made after each of a plurality of measurement shots, spectral pre-processing performed as necessary, and subsequent analysis is applied to the collected data to determine at least one geochemistry parameter of the sample. The method can provide a rapid method to estimate thermal maturity of a sample, which does not require sample preparation, and which can be non-destructive with respect to portions of the sample. A system for performing the method also is provided.
Abstract:
A LIBS measurement system is described herein that provides an orifice, aperture or opening in a substantially V-shaped chute or sleeve that allows access to the material to be analyzed from the underside of the chute. The laser beam is aimed through the hole and return light (signal) is collected through the hole by a photodetector assembly. A diverter device, which is located at an output end of the chute, diverts certain particles away from the chute upon receipt of an actuation signal.
Abstract:
A novel device, method and systems disclosed managing the thermal challenges of LIBS laser components and a spectrometer in a handheld structure as well the use of simplified light signal collection which includes a bare fiber optic to collect the emitted light in close proximity to (or in contact with) the test material. In one example embodiment of the handheld LIBS device, a burst pulse frequency is 4 kHz is used resulting in a time between pulses of about 250µs which is a factor of 10 above that of other devices in the prior art. In a related embodiment, an active Q-switched laser module is used along with a compact spectrometer module using a transmission grating to improve LIBS measurement while substantially reducing the size of the handheld analyzer.
Abstract:
A laser-based spectroscopy system that combines a distance/proximity standoff sensor, a high-repetition rate laser spectroscopy system, and software with a decision-making algorithm embedded in a processing unit which in combination performs selective firing of the laser when the target object is within an interrogation zone. In a related embodiment, the system provides selective sorting of spectroscopic signals based on information from the standoff signal and from information contained in the spectral signals themselves. The laser emission can be actively controlled while keeping the laser firing, thereby preserving the thermal stability and hence the power of the laser; and the standoff sensor information and the spectral information can be combined to determine the proper relative weighting or importance of each piece of spectral information.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a special LIBS measurement tube focusing unit, referred to simply as LIBS measurement tube, for vertically dipping into a material to be analyzed, which material is moved in a horizontal flow, characterized in that the measurement tube extends vertically and is internally hollow and open at least at the bottom end, such that a bottom edge is formed at the bottom end, the measurement tube has an inlet for coupling in a laser beam and an outlet for coupling out an emission spectrum at the upper end, the measurement tube is constructed in such a way that, in the measurement tube, the laser beam is focused at the material to be analyzed, specifically bulk material, in particular raw, intermediate, and end products from the processing of potash, magnesium, rock salt, or evaporated salt, but without additional scattering and deflection occurring, such that a plasma of the material to be analyzed is produced within the measurement tube by the laser radiation and the emission spectrum of the material to be analyzed reaches the outlet for outcoupling through the interior of the measurement tube, and scrapers (1, 2) lie on the inner and outer focusing tube wall annularly, preferably at the same vertical height on the focusing tube (3), which scrapers are arranged in such a way that the scrapers can be moved vertically in relation to the focusing tube (3), such that material to be analyzed that adheres to the focusing tube (3) on the inside and outside in the lower region can be scraped off by a relative motion of the focusing tube (3) in relation to the scrapers (1, 2).