Quantitative analysis of multi-elements in steel samples by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Through a Nd:YAG pulse laser of 1064nm wavelength, a multichannel grating spectrometer, and seven CCD detectors, the plasma emission spectrum of the 200 - 980nm wavelength rang were simultaneously observed. First, we studied the influences of some factors like laser energy and measurement time delays on emission intensity of plasma. By experiments, we found that the unusual phenomenon that the emission intensity of plasma is possibly stronger when laser energy is smaller for steel samples. However, this stronger intensity obtained under smaller laser energy is not suitable to quantitative analysis because of poorer repetition. Second, we determined the optimal experimental parameters and quantitatively analyzed the concentrations of the element Mn, Ni, Cr, V, Ti and Cu in some steel samples under the optimal experimental parameters. The calibration curves of these elements were built, and good linearity was obtained. The average relative errors of the quantitative results of these elements are between 13.31% and 4.54%. Consequently, LIBS can be used for quantitative analysis for steel samples; however, the accuracy of the quantitative results still needs to be improved