Abstract

Sampling by pulsed lasers (LA: laser ablation) is a fast and simple method which, in principle, can be used for all types of solid samples. The technique is well established in combination with the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and is also commercially available. Optical emission spectrometry (OES) of the laser produced plasma, called LIBS (laser induced breakdown spectrometry), is the more direct method. However, LIBS is still regarded as the less accurate technique in comparison with LA-ICP-OES or -MS, because the analytical data are strongly dependent on the parameters of the laser produced plasma which can change dramatically from laser shot to laser shot if the matrix composition and the ambient conditions vary. One way to compensate for the variation of the plasma is the simultaneous spectroscopic measurement of the analyte lines and all relevant plasma parameters. This requires simultaneous and time gated measurements of the total emission spectrum of the laser spark.

© 1998 Optical Society of America