Abstract: Chemical composition of liquid phase samples is determined based on laser induced ablation spectroscopy of droplets. An aerosol jet comprising a carrier gas and liquid phase sample droplets, less than about 10 microns in diameter, is formed. An emissive plasma plume is generated from the sample droplets using a pulsed laser to deposit energy at a focal point in the aerosol jet. Light from the plasma plume is gathered with a concave mirror and focused into one end of a fiber optic lightguide. The lightguide can transmit spectral emissions from the plume to a spectrometer/detector which can send wavelength and intensity values to a computer. The computer is operable to determine a liquid sample composition based on the wavelength and intensity values.

Abstract: Apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) is disclosed. An apparatus can have a computer, a pulsed laser and a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a first optical spectrometer and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to another optical spectrometer. The first spectrometer can be relatively wideband to analyze a relative wide spectral segment and the other spectrometer can be high dispersion to measure minor concentrations. The apparatus can further comprise an unbranched lightguide fiber bundle to provide more light to a low sensitivity spectrometer. The apparatus can include an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer ICP-MS and a computer instructions operable to provide normalized LIBS/ICP-MS composition analyses.

Abstract: Apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) is disclosed. An apparatus can have a computer, a pulsed laser and a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a first optical spectrometer and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to another optical spectrometer. The first spectrometer can be relatively wideband to analyze a relative wide spectral segment and the other spectrometer can be high dispersion to measure minor concentrations. The apparatus can further comprise an unbranched lightguide fiber bundle to provide more light to a low sensitivity spectrometer. The apparatus can include an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer ICP-MS and a computer instructions operable to provide normalized LIBS/ICP-MS composition analyses.

Abstract: Apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) is disclosed. An apparatus can have a computer, a pulsed laser and a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a first optical spectrometer and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to another optical spectrometer. The first spectrometer can be relatively wideband to analyze a relative wide spectral segment and the other spectrometer can be high dispersion to measure minor concentrations. The apparatus can have a plurality of spectrometers with distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and can include an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and data and instructions in tangible media operable to obtain a synergistic composition analysis based on optical spectra and ion mass to charge ratio peaks from the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) is disclosed. An apparatus can have a computer, a pulsed laser and a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a first optical spectrometer and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to another optical spectrometer. The first spectrometer can be relatively wideband to analyze a relative wide spectral segment and the other spectrometer can be high dispersion to measure minor concentrations. The apparatus can have a plurality of spectrometers with distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and can include an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and data and instructions in tangible media operable to obtain a synergistic composition analysis based on optical spectra and ion mass to charge ratio peaks from the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) are disclosed. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be analyzed using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and with a synergistic method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Methods of liquid and solid materials analysis by laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. The liquid and solid materials are analyzed in an instrument having one pulsed laser to produce emissive plasma plumes and ablate solid material. Liquid phase samples are aerosolized before streaming to an analysis zone where they are dissociated into a plasma plume. A large number of sites within solid phase sample structures and be analyzed using a movable x-y-z stage and displayed in a chemical map.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) are disclosed. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be analyzed using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and with a synergistic method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Portable instruments for analyzing elemental composition of liquid and solid phase materials by laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. The optical path of a single pulsed laser beam in the instrument is directed to a position depending on the phase of the sample material. Liquid phase samples are aerosolized before streaming to an analysis zone where they are dissociated in a plasma plume. A wide range of physical and chemical characteristics of liquid materials can be analyzed by the instruments. A large number of sites within solid phase sample structures are analyzed using a movable x-y-z stage in the instrument and the results are displayed in a chemical map.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. A sample site position sensor, and stage position motors can move the stage in three independent spatial coordinate directions, and a stage position control circuit is used to move an analysis sample site to selected coordinate positions for laser ablation. Light emitted from a plasma plume produced with laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions from a plasma plume can be simultaneously analyzed in various ways using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities.

Abstract: Methods for laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. A position sensor, and position motors can move a sample stage in three independent spatial coordinate directions, and a stage position control circuit can move an analysis sample site to selected coordinate positions for ablation. Light from laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions can be simultaneously analyzed in various ways using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and isotope analysis of a sample can be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing one or more elements of targeted moving snack food surfaces uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to detect the presence, absence, or amount of an element on a heterogeneous surface, including seasoned and ready-to-eat snack foods. A laser is used to quantify the element concentration without destroying the targeted sample. An automated on-line system may be integrated into the method to create a closed-loop feedback control system, adjusting the concentration as desired.

Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions, and apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. A sample site position sensor, stage position motors operable to move the stage in three independent spatial coordinate directions, and a stage position control circuit can move an analysis sample site to selected coordinate positions for laser ablation. Light emitted from a plasma plume produced with laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions from a plasma plume can be simultaneously analyzed in various ways using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities.

Abstract: A method for real-time optical diagnostics in laser ablation and laser processing of layered or structured materials or material structures. Diagnostics is provided during laser ablation that is utilized regularly in laser processing and/or chemical analysis of structured materials, by means of measuring optical emission generated as a result of the pulsed laser-material interaction in real time. The method can involve a single-layer-film or a stack of multiple layers or a structure of different domains. The method is particularly beneficial in fabrication of thin-film structures, such as photovoltaic and electronic devices or circuits of devices.

Abstract: Provided is a laser ablation spectroscopy apparatus and method. A pulse laser is focused on the sample site to generate a plasma plume during a laser ablation process. The plasma plume is detected with a spectrometer and an intensified charge coupled device. A sample of material is coupled to a stage movable in the x, y and z directions using an array of x-y-z motors. A change in the height of the sample is detected using a triangulation sensor. The apparatus includes a system computer for synchronizing the movement of the stage in the x, y and z direction during the laser ablation process. The method includes a protocol of generating one or more laser ablations per sample site. The spectral data of the total number of laser ablations for each sample site are averaged together. The protocol includes laser ablating additional sample sites and averaging the spectral data of the total number of sample sites.

Abstract: A method for real-time optical diagnostics in laser ablation and laser processing of layered or structured materials or material structures. Diagnostics is provided during laser ablation that is utilized regularly in laser processing and/or chemical analysis of structured materials, by means of measuring optical emission generated as a result of the pulsed laser-material interaction in real time. The method can involve a single-layer-film or a stack of multiple layers or a structure of different domains. The method is particularly beneficial in fabrication of thin-film structures, such as photovoltaic and electronic devices or circuits of devices.

Abstract: Provided is a laser ablation spectroscopy apparatus and method. A pulse laser is focused on the sample site to generate a plasma plume during a laser ablation process. The plasma plume is detected with a spectrometer and an intensified charge coupled device. A sample of material is coupled to a stage movable in the x, y and z directions using an array of x-y-z motors. A change in the height of the sample is detected using a triangulation sensor. The apparatus includes a system computer for synchronizing the movement of the stage in the x, y and z direction during the laser ablation process. The method includes a protocol of generating one or more laser ablations per sample site. The spectral data of the total number of laser ablations for each sample site are averaged together. The protocol includes laser ablating additional sample sites and averaging the spectral data of the total number of sample sites.