Analysis of Aluminum Alloy by High Repetition Rate Laser Ablation Spark-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

In order to improve the analytical speed of elements analysis with plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, an elements analysis system with laser-ablation spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy under high repetition rate was established and aluminum alloy was analyzed spectrally with this system. In experiment, acoustic-optical Q switched laser pulses with low pulse energies were used to ablate samples and trigger high-voltage spark discharge to enhance plasma emission and improve spectral analysis sensitivity. It was demonstrated that the peak intensity of the plasma and its time duration were enhanced and prolonged respectively under the action of high repetition rate spark discharge. The time-integrated signal intensity could be enhanced 1 similar to 2 orders and the signal was easier to be detected with time-resolved technique. The limit of detection of trace chromium reached 132 ppm while analyzing aluminum alloy with this technique. It is possible to apply high repetition rate laser-ablation spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy to elements analysis of solid samples. This technique has advantages of high scanning speed, high spatial resolution and high analysis sensitivity. It can be applied to fast scanning mapping of two-dimension or three-dimensions elements distribution of solid samples.