Portable LIBS System for Light Element Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable XRF devices are unable to reliably detect and quantify light elements such as carbon in materials, and existing portable analytical techniques face challenges in operating effectively in uncontrolled field environments with varying temperatures and conditions, leading to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
A portable Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system that includes a laser producing repeating pulses, a processor for data acquisition, optical elements for directing the beam and collecting emitted light, and a detector to identify elements, with optional features like temperature detection and an attenuator to adjust power levels and delay periods for improved performance across different conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If portable XRF devices are used for elemental analysis, then the device can be operated in field conditions, but it cannot reliably detect and quantify light elements such as carbon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental analysis parameters by switching from XRF to LIBS technique, which uses laser-induced plasma emission instead of X-ray fluorescence. This parameter change enables detection of light elements like carbon that are invisible to XRF, while maintaining portable field operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the X-ray tube and detector system with a laser-based plasma generation and optical detection system. This substitution fundamentally changes the physics mechanism from X-ray interaction to laser-matter interaction, enabling light element detection while preserving portability
2Measurement precision
If LIBS is used to detect light elements, then detection accuracy improves, but the system becomes more sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors plasma characteristics and environmental conditions, then adjusts laser parameters, gate delays, and integration times in real-time to compensate for temperature and other environmental variations, maintaining consistent detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the system dynamically adaptive by implementing real-time adjustment of acquisition parameters based on measured plasma conditions. The system transitions from static fixed parameters to dynamic adjustable parameters, allowing optimization for each measurement condition while maintaining portability
3Measurement precision
If laser power is increased to improve plasma formation, then signal strength increases, but the system becomes more sensitive to power variations and requires stricter control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control where laser power is monitored and adjusted in real-time based on plasma formation quality and signal strength measurements. This closed-loop control compensates for power variations without requiring overly complex control systems, maintaining simple portable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from maintaining fixed high power to dynamically adjusting power levels based on actual plasma formation needs. This parameter change allows adequate signal strength while reducing sensitivity to power variations, simplifying the control requirements for the portable system
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
The system enables accurate detection and quantification of light elements and maintains reliable performance in diverse field conditions by compensating for changes in laser power and environmental variables, achieving results comparable to laboratory settings.
Implementation Method 1
a laser configured to produce a beam comprising a plurality of repeating pulses
Implementation Method 2
The interaction between the focused laser pulses and the sample creates plasma composed of ionized matter
Implementation Method 3
Plasma light emissions can provide spectral data regarding the chemical composition of many different kinds of materials
Implementation Method 4
one or more optical elements configured to direct the beam at a sample and collect emitted light from a plasma continuum
Implementation Method 5
an optical detector configured to produce a plurality of signal values from the emitted light from the plasma continuum collected during the data acquisition window
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a laser induced breakdown system is described that comprises a portable device that includes: a laser configured to produce a beam comprising a plurality of repeating pulses; a processor configured to open a data acquisition window after a delay period, wherein the delay period begins upon production of one of the pulses; one or more optical elements configured to direct the beam at a sample and collect emitted light from a plasma continuum; and an optical detector configured to produce a plurality of signal values from the emitted light from the plasma continuum collected during the data acquisition window, wherein the processor is configured to identify an element from the signal values.