Abstract: A LIBS system to detect constituent elements of interest within a sample from plasma light resulting from irradiation of this sample is presented. The LIBS system has a hybrid configuration which provides both a low-resolution spectrum of the plasma light covering a broad spectral range, and a high-resolution spectrum of the same plasma light over a narrow spectral range centered on a spectral line or feature of a constituent element of interest of the sample. In some implementations, the LIBS system has a portable design and can perform onsite sample analyses.

Abstract: Spectrometer designs are provided. The spectrometer includes two planar diffraction gratings disposed in a cascade, without intervening optics therebetween. Advantageously, the described configurations may promote both a high throughput and a high resolution, enabling the design of a portable device having sufficient resolution for on-site use or in the laboratory. In some implementations, two different secondary diffraction channels may be provided.

Abstract: A method of quantifying at least one property of interest of an oil sands ore sample is provided using a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method. The property of interest may include bitumen content, water content, particle size information, cation exchange capacity, methylene blue index, mineralogical content (e.g., quartz, total clay, and clay components), amorphous material content, total ash content, and connate water parameter (e.g., conductivity, chloride content, or alkalinity).

Abstract: A method of quantifying at least one property of interest of an oil sands ore sample is provided using a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method. The property of interest may include bitumen content, water content, particle size information, cation exchange capacity, methylene blue index, mineralogical content (e.g., quartz, total clay, and clay components), amorphous material content, total ash content, and connate water parameter (e.g., conductivity, chloride content, or alkalinity).

Abstract: A method for characterizing an aggregate sample involves using a first laser pulse to create a crater on the surface of a sample, using a second laser pulse to produce a plasma emission spectrum on the prepared crater surface, and detecting the emission spectrum to collect spectral data. Laser application, and detecting spectral emission are repeated on different points on the sample, then non-representative spectral data is discarded based on a ratio of ions to atoms in the data. Finally a calibration loading is used to determine a property characteristic of the aggregate sample. The sample may be an oil sands sample, and the properties detected may be percentages of bitumen, water, and solids. A laser-based system is provided for carrying out the characterization method.

Abstract: Spectrometer designs are provided. The spectrometer includes two planar diffraction gratings disposed in a cascade, without intervening optics therebetween. Advantageously, the described configurations may promote both a high throughput and a high resolution, enabling the design of a portable device having sufficient resolution for on-site use or in the laboratory. In some implementations, two different secondary diffraction channels may be provided.

Abstract: A method and a system for characterizing an elemental composition and a molecular composition of a material are provided. Laser-based IR spectroscopy measurements and LIBS measurements are performed at a same analysis spot on the material. The IR spectroscopy measurement data can be used to characterize the molecular composition of the material, whereas the LIBS data can be used to characterize the elemental composition of the material. 2D and 3D profiles of a sample of the material may be obtained based on this data.

Abstract: A LIBS system to detect constituent elements of interest within a sample from plasma light resulting from irradiation of this sample is presented. The LIBS system has a hybrid configuration which provides both a low-resolution spectrum of the plasma light covering a broad spectral range, and a high-resolution spectrum of the same plasma light over a narrow spectral range centered on a spectral line or feature of a constituent element of interest of the sample. In some implementations, the LIBS system has a portable design and can perform onsite sample analyses.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a system, method and device for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In some embodiments, the LIBS system comprises a silicon photomultiplier (Si PM) operated in a time-gated photon counting mode. Some such embodiments allow for the provision of a portable LIBS device. Also provided are embodiments for the measurement of constituent carbon, gold and/or other precious metal group elements in a target sample.

Abstract: A method and a system for characterizing an elemental composition and a molecular composition of a material are provided. Laser-based IR spectroscopy measurements and LIBS measurements are performed at a same analysis spot on the material. The IR spectroscopy measurement data can be used to characterize the molecular composition of the material, whereas the LIBS data can be used to characterize the elemental composition of the material. 2D and 3D profiles of a sample of the material may be obtained based on this data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compact apparatus for laser induced breakdown atomic emission spectroscopy from a targeted sample having a laser generating a laser beam, the laser beam directed to the sample, optical means for manipulating the laser beam in order maximize laser fluency at the target surface of the sample, the laser beam generating ablation and plasma emission from the sample at the target surface, an emission spectrometer having a detector for detecting a plasma plume from the plasma emission.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an aggregate sample involves using a first laser pulse to create a crater on the surface of a sample, using a second laser pulse to produce a plasma emission spectrum on the prepared crater surface, and detecting the emission spectrum to collect spectral data. Laser application, and detecting spectral emission are repeated on different points on the sample, then non-representative spectral data is discarded based on a ratio of ions to atoms in the data. Finally a calibration loading is used to determine a property characteristic of the aggregate sample. The sample may be an oil sands sample, and the properties detected may be percentages of bitumen, water, and solids. A laser-based system is provided for carrying out the characterization method.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a system, method and device for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In some embodiments, the LIBS system comprises a silicon photomultiplier (Si PM) operated in a time-gated photon counting mode. Some such embodiments allow for the provision of a portable LIBS device. Also provided are embodiments for the measurement of constituent carbon, gold and/or other precious metal group elements in a target sample.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for use with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems that can be applied to the real time analysis of various materials. The invention, in one aspect, provides a layer-by-layer method to remove the undesired coating layer of a material in which a pulsed laser is coupled with high speed scanning optics. To prepare the surface for LIBS, (i) a pulsed laser beam is scanned over an area of the surface to ablate the surface coating layer; (ii) the laser parameters are changed (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller) and the area scanned again to polish the surface; and (iii) the laser parameters are changed again (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller yet again) and the area scanned again with spectrometric analysis of the plasma plume created by the laser (i.e. LIBS is performed).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compact apparatus for laser induced breakdown atomic emission spectroscopy from a targeted sample having a laser generating a laser beam, the laser beam directed to the sample, optical means for manipulating the laser beam in order maximize laser fluency at the target surface of the sample, the laser beam generating ablation and plasma emission from the sample at the target surface, an emission spectrometer having a detector for detecting a plasma plume from the plasma emission.

Abstract: A method for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) calibration or LIBS assay comprises providing a plurality of reference samples, each having a respective, known concentration of an analyte, assaying each reference sample to obtain a respective LIBS spectrum, and for each reference LIBS spectrum, measuring an intensity of at least one spectral analyte line that varies with concentration of the analyte, and measuring a peak amplitude of at least one saturating line of a reference element. The ratio and known concentrations define a calibration curve for the analyte.

Abstract: A method of quantifying at least one property of interest of an oil sands ore sample is provided using a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method. The LIBS method may be applied to oil sands ore being conveyed prior to a slurry process to measure oil sand composition and provide information which may predict extraction characteristics. The LIBS method may be applied to oil sands core samples in a laboratory setting to reduce the cost and analysis time associated with conventional laboratory measurement techniques.

Abstract: A method for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) calibration or LIBS assay comprises providing a plurality of reference samples, each having a respective, known concentration of an analyte, assaying each reference sample to obtain a respective LIBS spectrum, and for each reference LIBS spectrum, measuring an intensity of at least one spectral analyte line that varies with concentration of the analyte, and measuring a peak amplitude of at least one saturating line of a reference element. The ratio and known concentrations define a calibration curve for the analyte.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for use with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems that can be applied to the real time analysis of various materials. The invention, in one aspect, provides a layer-by-layer method to remove the undesired coating layer of a material in which a pulsed laser is coupled with high speed scanning optics. To prepare the surface for LIBS, (i) a pulsed laser beam is scanned over an area of the surface to ablate the surface coating layer; (ii) the laser parameters are changed (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller) and the area scanned again to polish the surface; and (iii) the laser parameters are changed again (i.e. pulse duration is made smaller yet again) and the area scanned again with spectrometric analysis of the plasma plume created by the laser (i.e. LIBS is performed).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for use with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems that can be applied to the real time analysis of molten materials or liquid. Since it is difficult to prepare a surface representative of the bulk when dealing with high temperature molten material, the invention, in one aspect, uses a forced gas flow through a tube insertable inside the molten material to generate a bubble. The inner surface of the bubble is a representative of the composition of the material. LIBS performed on such a surface produces an accurate real time analysis of material, even when other processing of material, e.g., copper smelting, etc., is being conducted.