Microanalysis by Laser-Induced Plasma Spectroscopy in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 76; no. 6; pp. 1648 - 1656
• Main Authors: Radivojevic, Igor, Haisch, Christoph, Niessner, Reinhard, Florek, Stefan, Becker-Ross, Helmut, Panne, Ulrich
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.03.2004
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Plasma; Spectrometric and optical methods; Spectrum analysis; Ultraviolet radiation; Performance evaluation; Microanalysis; Phosphorus; Steel; Carbon; Emission spectrometry; Detection limit; Ash; Vacuum ultraviolet radiation; Laser ablation technique; Wastes; Laser produced plasma; Sulfur
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac0351365

A new setup for microanalysis by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy in the VUV range is presented and described in detail. The system features an integrated ablation and detection module with a newly designed VUV echelle system. The echelle permits a full spectral coverage between 150 and 300 nm with a resolving power λ/Δλ between 11 000 and 15 000. At present, the ablation module permits a microanalysis with a crater size of 25 μm and a nominal depth resolution with an ablation rate of 150 nm/pulse. The VUV performance was demonstrated for bulk analysis of steel; detection limits for sulfur, carbon, and phosphorus were in the lower milligram per kilogram range. The VUV scanning and mapping performance for heterogeneous matrixes was illustrated for mineral bottom ash samples from a waste incineration process.