Dependence of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy results on pulse energies and timing parameters using soil simulants.

The dependence of some LIBS detection capabilities on lower pulse energies (<100 mJ) and timing parameters were examined using synthetic silicate samples. These samples were used as simulants for soil and contained minor and trace elements commonly found in soil at a wide range of concentrations. For this study, over 100 calibration curves were prepared using different pulse energies and timing parameters; detection limits and sensitivities were determined from the calibration curves.

Monitoring uranium, hydrogen, and lithium and their isotopes using a compact laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe and high-resolution spectrometer.

The development of field-deployable instruments to monitor radiological, nuclear, and explosive (RNE) threats is of current interest for a number of assessment needs such as the on-site screening of suspect facilities and nuclear forensics. The presence of uranium and plutonium and radiological materials can be determined through monitoring the elemental emission spectrum using relatively low-resolution spectrometers. In addition, uranium compounds, explosives, and chemicals used in nuclear fuel processing (e.

Comparative study of femtosecond and nanosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of depleted uranium.

We present spectra of depleted uranium metal from laser plasmas generated by nanosecond Nd:YAG (1064 nm) and femtosecond Ti:sapphire (800 nm) laser pulses. The latter pulses produce short-lived and relatively cool plasmas in comparison to the longer pulses, and the spectra of neutral uranium atoms appear immediately after excitation. Evidence for nonequilibrium excitation with femtosecond pulses is found in the dependence of spectral line intensities on the pulse chirp.

Detection of uranium using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The goal of this work is a detailed study of uranium detection by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for application to activities associated with environmental surveillance and detecting weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The study was used to assist development of LIBS instruments for standoff detection of bulk radiological and nuclear materials and these materials distributed as contaminants on surfaces. Uranium spectra were analyzed under a variety of different conditions at room pressure, reduced pressures, and in an argon atmosphere.

Laser-induced breakdown spectra in the infrared region from 750 to 2000 nm using a cooled InGaAs diode array detector.

Emissions from a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) plasma were examined in the region from 750 nm to 2000 nm. A Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm and 75 mJ per pulse were used to initiate the plasma. The detector was an InGaAs 1024 element diode array cooled to -100 degrees C.

A non-lensed fiber-optic resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization probe.

We have developed a miniature fiber-optic probe with no focusing optics for in situ analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The probe uses an optical fiber to transmit a laser pulse to a vapor sample causing it to ionize adjacent to the fiber tip through a resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) process. The distal end of the optical fiber is contained co-axially within 2-mm-inner-diameter stainless steel tubing that serves as an electrode.