Development of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system using a ceramic micro-laser for fiber-optic remote analysis

Abstract

In this study, a compact fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system was developed using a microchip laser (MCL) with a monolithic Nd:YAG/Cr:YAG composite ceramic, for remote analysis of hazardous environments, such as nuclear reactor cores. Short duration laser pulses exhibiting a near-Gaussian beam profile were obtained. The output properties of the laser, such as pulse energy, repetition rate, temporal shape, and beam profile, were measured in view of their applicability to LIBS analysis and were found suitable for the purpose of this research. Spectra of zirconium metal were obtained, and signal intensity was further enhanced by applying multi-burst mode irradiation to the target. The results of this study reveal that the fiber-optic microchip-laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system is advantageous for efficient remote analysis of hazardous environments and is suitable for analyzing the inside of nuclear reactor cores.