Quantitative analysis of oxide materials by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with argon as an internal standard

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is demonstrated as a quantitative technique for geochemical analysis. This study demonstrates the applicability of LIBS to multielemental analysis of minerals using argon as an internal standard. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been applied to measure elements in oxide form. In the present study, the contents of several oxides, such as Fe2O3, CaO and MgO, in geological samples from the Tierga Mine (Zaragoza, Spain) were analyzed by LIBS. An argon environment was used to eliminate interference from air at atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, argon was used as an internal standard. The result was enhanced signal and enhanced linearity of the calibration curves. The Fe2O3, CaO and MgO concentrations determined by LIBS were compared with the results obtained using another analytical technique, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentrations found using LIBS were in good agreement with the values obtained by ICP-OES.