Characterization of laser-induced plasma in a vacuum using laser ablation mass spectrometry and laser-induced breakdown spectrometry

An analytical system for simultaneously monitoring laser-ablation mass spectra and laser-induced breakdown spectra for solid sample has been developed. The performance of the developed system is evaluated by measuring characteristics of laser-induced plasma such as lifetime of ions inside the plasma and laser power dependence of mass resolution for solid samples. Adopted samples are gadolinium plate, gadolinium coated on stainless steel plate, and one of the NIST standard samples, C-1248 (Ni-Cu alloy). The threshold laser energy in obtaining mass spectrum was dependent on the type of sample characteristics in the order of a few MW/cm(2), while a few hundred MW/cm(2) was necessary in order to observe emission signal. When laser energy was increased enough to produce emission signal, mass resolution of the time-of-flight mass spectrum was severely deteriorated. The lifetime of the continuum ion signal was estimated similar to200 and similar to250 ns for Gd plate and C-1248, respectively, by monitoring emission signals, while the lifetime of ions near sample surface was estimated as similar to400 ns and similar to430 ns for Gd plate and G 1248, respectively The deterioration of mass resolution can be understood as originating from the space charge effect in high plasma density in a given space and different velocity distribution of ions inside the plasma, while longer lifetime of ions near sample surface can be understood as originating from speed of ion ejection near the sample surface. The details of the characteristics of laser-induced plasma are discussed and optimum experimental conditions for simultaneous monitoring are suggested. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.