Basic investigations for laser microanalysis: I. Optical emission spectrometry of laser-produced sample plumes

In order to find optimum conditions for laser ablation and atomization for analytical purposes, time resolved emission spectra of Nd:YAG laser-produced plasma plumes propagating into noble gas atmospheres of different pressures were measured with an optical multichannel analyzer. The time evolution of the plasma temperature was determined. Strong temperature changes were observed depending on the matrix composition. The analytical figures of merit of optical emission spectrometry (OES) of laser-produced sample plasmas were determined using, as examples, measurements of two analytes (silicon and chromium) in homogeneous and low-alloyed standard steel samples.