2D Plasma Grating LIBS Detection for Trace Element Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIBS technologies suffer from low detection sensitivity, particularly when analyzing samples that are difficult to excite or detecting trace elements, due to the matrix effect.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a two-dimensional plasma grating enhanced by femtosecond laser pulses, which are split and synchronized to form a high-power density plasma lattice, improving the excitation of samples and enhancing spectral detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional LIBS is used for elemental detection, then the detection process is simple, but the detection sensitivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam is segmented into multiple sub-pulses (at least two) that are spatially separated and then focused to form multiple plasma filaments. This segmentation of the laser energy creates a multi-filament plasma grating structure that enhances the excitation of trace elements and reduces matrix effects, thereby improving detection sensitivity without requiring fundamentally new equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point laser excitation to a multi-dimensional plasma grating structure by creating multiple parallel plasma filaments through beam splitting and spatial separation. This dimensional expansion from 0D (point) to 1D (line/array of filaments) increases the interaction volume with the sample and enhances spectral signal intensity for trace element detection
2Reliability
If a single laser pulse is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the excitation capability for difficult-to-excite samples is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam is pre-split into multiple sub-pulses with controlled spatial separation before focusing onto the sample. This preliminary action of beam segmentation and path separation ensures that multiple plasma filaments are formed simultaneously, providing enhanced and more reliable excitation for difficult-to-excite samples such as superhard materials and trace elements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temporal and spatial parameters of laser delivery by using multiple sub-pulses with specific time delays and spatial separations. This parameter modification creates a multi-filament plasma grating that provides more reliable excitation for challenging samples while maintaining compatibility with standard femtosecond laser systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases the detection sensitivity of LIBS, reduces the matrix effect, and enables more accurate quantitative analysis of various samples, including superhard materials and trace elements.
Implementation Method 1
synchronizing the three sub-pulses in a time domain by adjusting optical paths of the three sub-pulses in such a way that they have a same optical length and the three sub-pulses arrive at the intersection in space simultaneously and form the two-dimensional plasma grating
Implementation Method 2
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an elemental composition analysis technique used in elemental detection for samples of different applications. With the LIBS, a high-energy and short-pulse-width laser pulse is used as an excitation source and is focused on a sample to generate plasmas
Implementation Method 3
By detecting and analyzing characteristic spectra of the plasmas, elemental composition and element concentration of the sample can be determined
Data Source
AI summary
A detection method based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy enhanced by a two-dimensional plasma grating includes: generating a femtosecond laser pulse by a femtosecond laser, and splitting the femtosecond laser pulse into three sub-pulses by a beam splitting unit; focusing the three sub-pulses separately by a focusing unit to allow focused sub-pulses to be overlapped at an intersection in space, wherein before reaching the intersection, the three sub-pulses form two planes; synchronizing the three sub-pulses in a time domain by adjusting optical paths of the three sub-pulses in such a way that they have the same optical length and the three sub-pulses arrive at the intersection in space simultaneously and form the two-dimensional plasma grating; and exciting a sample on a stage based on the two-dimensional plasma grating to generate a plasma cluster, and acquiring a spectrum of the sample.