Abstract

The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique is often used as atomic spectroscopic technique for elemental analysis of materials. It is based on laser-induced formation of plasma above the sample surface, followed by time-resolved analysis of the optical emission associated to atomic and molecular transitions. A Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser instrument is equipped, coupled with a high resolution spectrometer and an intensified CCD camera, to analyze the constituents of the rock. The parameters have been adjusted to acquire the optimized results. The major and minor constituents have been detected in the rock. The results show the rock is abundant in the elements such as aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and silicon (Si). The system demonstrates that instant qualitative and semi-quantitative chemical analyses could be performed.

© 2011 Optical Society of America