Title :
Effects of background conditions on laser spark spectroscopy in air
Author :
Yalcin, Siddika Berna Ors ; Crosley, D.R. ; Faris, G.W.
Author_Institution :
Molecular Phys. Lab., SRI Int., Menlo Park, CA, USA
Abstract :
Summary form only given. Improved monitors are required to measure toxic metal concentrations emitted from incinerator and power plant stacks. These monitors must be capable of sensitive, continuous measurements on a variety of metals. We investigate the ability of laser spark spectroscopy to perform quantitative, in-situ measurements of metal concentrations. A key consideration for the use of laser spark spectroscopy as an in-situ monitor is the ability to perform quantitative measurements. Unlike a well controlled laboratory measurement, the in-situ measurement is subject to variations in a number of background conditions. The degree to which these background conditions affect the measurements determines how quantitative the technique can be. We study the effects of background conditions on the laser-produced plasma by measuring the plasma temperature and electron density. These are the primary parameters that determine the strength of emission lines from a given element.
Keywords :
air pollution measurement; chemical variables measurement; infrared spectroscopy; plasma density; plasma diagnostics; plasma production by laser; plasma temperature; sparks; spectrochemical analysis; air; background conditions; electron density; emission lines; in-situ monitor; incinerator; laser spark spectroscopy; laser-produced plasma; metal concentrations; plasma temperature; power plant stacks; quantitative in-situ measurements; sensitive continuous measurements; toxic metal concentrations; Incineration; Laboratories; Performance evaluation; Plasma density; Plasma measurements; Plasma temperature; Power generation; Power measurement; Sparks; Spectroscopy;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics, 1996. CLEO '96., Summaries of papers presented at the Conference on
Conference_Location :
Anaheim, CA, USA
Print_ISBN :
1-55752-443-2