Calibration Measurements in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using nanosecond and picosecond lasers

The influence of laser pulse duration on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) calibration curves is investigated in the present work. Two Nd:YAG lasers providing pulses of 35 ps and 5 ns, respectively, both operating at 1064 nm, have been used to create plasmas on aluminium, manganese, iron, and silicon targets and on prepared stoichiometric samples of these metals in a matrix. The time-resolved, space-averaged plasma temperatures have been deduced using Boltzmann plots, while the electron number density has been determined from the broadening of spectral lines. The effect of laser pulse duration on the plasma characteristics is discussed, and comparisons are made with previously reported data measured under similar experimental conditions. The optimum experimental conditions (i.e., time delay, gate width, laser energy) have been determined for reliable use of LIBS for quantitative analysis for both pulse durations. For each of the metals of interest, calibration curves have been constructed for concentrations ranging up to 2%.