Elemental composition of rice using calibration free laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

In this paper, we apply laser induce breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to determine the elemental composition of different parts (root, stem and seed) of the rice plant and determine their weighted concentration using calibration free laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) technique. Ca, Fe and K are identified as major elements, while C, Ti, Mg, Si, Li, Ba, Sr, Cr, Na and Al as minor elements. We also detect the H-alpha line of hydrogen in the spectrum and determine the electron number density. The electron number density and its behavior as a function of laser energy, laser wavelength and the detector position are investigated. The plasma temperatures of samples are determined, and the validity of the assumption of the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) is discussed.