The LIBS / LIPS systems (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy / Laser Induced PLASMA Spectroscopy) is a diagnostic device fully transportable, even in situ for environmental diagnostics. It is specifically designed for on field measurements, providing plasma spectroscopy measurements.
The system is based on a Quanta System Nd:YAG Q-switched laser with > 300mJ per pulse @ 1064nm.
For easy measurements, the laser beam is delivered to the target to be observed, by mean of a seven mirrors articulated arm, with focusing optics placed at the end to produce the plasma. The emitted plasma radiation is collected by a 50mm wide objective lens and focused into a bundle of 100mm core fibers. The bundle is interfaced to a polychromator coupled to an ICCD (Intensified CCD) camera. A 2400 g/mm holographic grating is used in the LIBS configuration.
The whole system is fully controlled by a PC, integrated in the system, that turns out to be easily transportable. A specific user friendly software has been developed both for spectra acquisition and analysis. Up to date the system has been successfully tested as an environmental diagnostic tool for fast qualitative and quantitative analysis of heavy metals in soil and waters. Field sensitivity up to 1-10 ppm has been achieved for the following heavy metals:
| As |
Cd |
Cr |
Cu |
Ni |
V |
Zn |
Pb |
Ag |
* sensitivity is better than 10 mg/kg with an accuracy better than ±15%
System is composed by :
| Nd:Yag laser |
with cooling facility
output wavelength 1064nm
energy > 300 mJ/pulse
rep rate 10 Hz |
| Articulated arm |
for LIBS
with mirrors
including optical head for excitation and detection (out of axis) |
| Fibre optics bundle |
for photon detection
material: quarz
with SMA connection to the spectrograph |
| Polychromator |
f=50 cm
with grating: 2400 g/mm (range 190-800 nm)
completed with remote control unit |
| Intensified gated camera |
for spectroscopy
comprehensive of acquisition board
comprehensive of software
with trigger out facility (for the laser)
with operative parameters control for the polychromator. |
Software for LIBS
PC
Monitor
Dedicated printer
Specifications are subject to change without notice.