Quantitative Analysis of Aluminum Alloys by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Plasma Characterization

TLDR

Laser‑induced breakdown spectroscopy is employed for elemental analysis of aluminum alloys. The technique generates a plasma with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser in air, and its emission spectrum, excitation temperature (derived from Fe Boltzmann plots), and electron density (obtained from Stark broadening of Al lines) are characterized. Calibration curves for Mg, Mn, Cu, and Si were produced, yielding detection limits of roughly 10 ppm, varying by element.

Abstract

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been applied to perform elemental analysis of aluminum alloy targets. The plasma is generated by focusing a pulsed Nd:YAG laser on the target in air at atmospheric pressure. Such a plasma was characterized in terms of its appearance, emission spectrum, space-integrated excitation temperature, and electron density. The electron density is inferred from the Stark broadening of the profiles of ionized aluminum lines. The temperature is obtained by using Boltzmann plots of the neutral iron lines. Calibration curves for magnesium, manganese, copper, and silicon were produced. The detection limits are element-dependent but are on the order of 10 ppm.