Study of laser-material interactions using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

Laser sampling represents a versatile technique for solid sample introduction into an analytical excitation source. However, fundamental study of the laser-material interaction is necessary for optimal performance of this technique, especially for the analysis of samples with a complex matrix. In this paper, some phenomena of the laser-material interaction for samples of simple matrix were described and interpreted using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The TCP operating parameters are held constant and the effect of laser operating parameters on the laser-material interaction is monitored by observing the ICP emission signal temporally and spatially. The effect of sample transport characteristics, laser power density, condition of sample surface and the pressure pulse generated by the expansion of laser plasma will be described. A photodiode array spectrometer was used to monitor several wavelengths simultaneously and to monitor the vertical profile of the ICP discharge for an emission line. A photomultiplier-based monochromator was used to observe events, taking advantage of the fast response time of the photomultiplier detector. ICP-AES has proved to be a powerful tool for studying the laser-material interaction. © 1991 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.