High-Accuracy LIBS with Nanosecond and Picosecond Time Resolution

“The PI-MAX4:1024EMB emICCD camera seamlessly combines the rapid gating capabilities of an image intensifier and the excellent linearity of a back-illuminated, frame-transfer, 1024 x 1024 EMCCD detector…”

Introduction

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is considered one of the most convenient and efficient analytical techniques for trace elemental analysis in gases, solids, and liquids. Both non-invasive and non-destructive, LIBS requires little-to-no sample preparation and can easily be performed either in the lab or in the field in hazardous industrial environments in real-time. Remote measurements can be done from more than 50 meters’ distance.

During LIBS, typically, but not always, a short laser pulse generated at 1064 nm by an Nd:YAG laser is focused on a sample (see Figure 1). Laser energy heats, vaporizes, atomizes, and ionizes target material, generating a small area of plasma. Excited atoms and ions in the plasma emit secondary light that is collected and resolved by a spectrometer and directed to a high-speed, high-sensitivity photodetector. Each chemical element has a unique spectral signature that can be discerned from the obtained spectra. As a result, the multi-elemental composition of the sample can be determined instantly.

Figure 1. A short laser pulse — direction and duration represented by red arrow — is focused on a solid sample. A small amount of the material breaks down, local heating occurs, and the expansion of high-pressure vapor creates a supersonic shock wave: free electrons (e-), ionic species (i), atomic species (a), molecular species (m), excited species (*). Adapted from J. Braz. Chem. Soc., Vol. 18, No. 3, 463–512, 2007.

To satisfy LIBS’ competing requirements of high resolution and broad wavelength range, an echelle spectrometer is recommended. Unlike Czerny-Turner and Littrow spectrometers, echelle spectrometers use two dispersive elements, usually a prism and a grating. Thus, the spectrum is divided not only in the x-direction but also the y-direction. The primary advantage of this assembly is that the entire two-dimensional detection array is utilized and a full spectrum is captured at high resolution, not just a small region.

In LIBS applications where a relatively low power laser can be used, the less intense background continuum emission means a conventional CCD camera with a high-speed mechanical chopper affords a suitable imaging solution. However, in LIBS applications where a high-power, short-duration laser pulse is required (i.e., the lone laser pulse lasts femtoseconds to nanoseconds, 10-15 to 10-9 sec), only a comparatively small amount of laser energy is transferred to the sample. This short-duration pulse produces a weak emission signal over the continuum that is very difficult, or even impossible, for a conventional CCD camera to capture with good signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio — which is why gated, intensified CCD (ICCD) cameras are widely utilized to perform LIBS.

For challenging applications where ICCD camera sensitivity and dynamic range are not enough, an emICCD camera is recommended. This document presents data demonstrating the improved performance of a new emICCD camera from Princeton Instruments (used in concert with an echelle spectrometer from Lasertechnik Berlin, or LTB) that delivers ultrahigh sensitivity for demanding LIBS applications on the nanosecond and picosecond timescales.

Princeton Instruments’ new emICCD camera technology overcomes ICCD sensitivity and dynamic range limitations by fiberoptically coupling an image intensifier to a back-illuminated, electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) detector. Dual-gain control optimizes the emICCD camera’s performance by adjusting both the intensifier and the EMCCD gains, thus permitting better linearity and dynamic range (subsequently increasing S/N ratio).

Experimental Setup

LIBS setups for laboratories and in-the-field industrial settings rely on compact, relatively inexpensive scientific-grade instruments. Figure 2 is a diagram of a typical LIBS setup, which includes a pulsed laser, a mirror, a focusing lens, a sample holder/chamber, collecting optics, an optical fiber, an echelle spectrometer, a gated ICCD camera, and a computer (not shown).

The LIBS spectra presented in the following section were acquired at Lasertechnik Berlin’s test lab utilizing a setup similar to the one depicted in Figure 2. The experimental setup in Berlin included an LTB ARYELLE 200 echelle spectrometer, which was mated to a PI-MAX4:1024EMB emICCD camera from Princeton Instruments configured with a super-red image intensifier fiberoptically bonded to a back-illuminated, frame-transfer EMCCD detector. See Figure 3.

Figure 3. A Princeton Instruments PI-MAX4:1024EMB emICCD camera
paired with an ARYELLE 200 echelle spectrometer from Lasertechnik Berlin.

Spectra and Observations

Figure 4 presents a LIBS spectrum of a solid sample (i.e., 402 stainless steel) acquired using a PI-MAX4:1024EMB emICCD camera mated to an ARYELLE 200 echelle spectrometer. By utilizing the echelle spectrometer to divide the spectrum in the x-direction as well as the y-direction, the charge-coupled device’s entire 1024 x 1024 detection array can be leveraged to capture the full spectrum, matching the spectral resolution of the ARYELLE 200.

*Figure 4. Full spectrum of 402 stainless steel acquired via LIBS using PI-MAX4:1024EMB emICCD camera paired with ARYELLE 200 echelle spectrometer. Data courtesy of Lasertechnik Berlin.*

Figure 5 compares LIBS spectra of 402 stainless steel acquired utilizing the LTB echelle spectrometer paired with an emICCD camera (spectrum rendered using a gold line) and a standard ICCD camera (spectrum rendered using a blue line), respectively.

Figure 5. LIBS spectra acquired using emICCD camera (gold line) and standard ICCD camera (blue line) paired with echelle spectrometer. Data courtesy of Lasertechnik Berlin. Two-dimensional plot created using LTB’s Sophi software.

The emICCD camera (PI-MAX4:1024EMB) was fitted with a super-red intensifier, whereas the standard ICCD camera (PI-MAX4:1024f) was fitted with a red-blue intensifier. The emICCD camera, with its dual-gain mechanism, was observed to be ~3x to ~5x more sensitive. Had the same super-red intensifier been used for both cameras, it is expected that the sensitivity with the emICCD camera across the full spectral range, from 200 nm to 900 nm, would have been ~3x better than with the standard ICCD camera. The solid sample, the megapixel detector array size, the intensifier gate/delay times, the laser excitation wavelength, and other key experimental parameters were identical.

Figures 6 and 7 provide a closer look at these spectra in the UV and NIR regions, respectively. Thanks to its use of a CCD featuring electron-multiplying detection technology, the emICCD camera system clearly demonstrates superior sensitivity and resolution in the spectral regions of interest when compared to the standard gated ICCD camera.

Figure 6. Close-up of LIBS spectra in the UV region: emICCD camera (gold line) and standard ICCD camera (blue line) paired with echelle spectrometer. Data courtesy of Lasertechnik Berlin. Twodimensional plot created using LTB’s Sophi software.

Figure 7. Close-up of LIBS spectra in the NIR region: emICCD camera (gold line) and standard ICCD camera (blue line) paired with echelle spectrometer. Data courtesy of Lasertechnik Berlin. Twodimensional plot created using LTB’s Sophi software.

Enabling Technology

The PI-MAX4:1024EMB emICCD camera seamlessly combines the rapid gating capabilities of an image intensifier and the excellent linearity of a back-illuminated, frame-transfer, 1024 x 1024 EMCCD detector in order to deliver quantitative, ultra-high-sensitivity performance for LIBS applications executed on nano- and picosecond timescales.

This fiberoptically bonded Princeton Instruments PI-MAX^®4 camera system provides <500 psec gate widths using standard fast-gate intensifiers while preserving quantum efficiency. Its integrated SuperSynchro timing generator allows camera users to set gate pulse widths and delays under GUI software control, and significantly reduces the inherent insertion delay (~27 nsec).

Complete control over all PI-MAX4:1024EMB hardware features is simple with the latest version of Princeton Instruments’ LightField^® data acquisition software (available as an option). Precision intensifier gating control and gate delays, as well as a host of novel functions for easy capture and export of spectral data, are provided via the exceptionally intuitive LightField user interface.

The PI-MAX4:1024EMB uses a high-bandwidth (125 MB/sec or 1000 Mbps) GigE data interface to afford camera users real-time image transmission. This interface supports remote operation from more than 50 meters away.

Summary

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy generally requires little if any sample preparation and is easy to perform in hazardous industrial environments in real-time. Hence, it is a very attractive analytical tool. LIBS applications are utilized in many diverse fields. Areas that benefit from LIBS include geology, mining, construction, exploration of planets, environmental monitoring, analysis of biological samples, archaeology, architecture, military/defense, forensic science, combustion processes, the metal industry, and the nuclear industry.

Unique PI-MAX4 emICCD cameras from Princeton Instruments provide high-performance, cost-efficient, and user-friendly solutions for performing ultra-high-sensitivity LIBS applications on nanosecond and picosecond timescales. All instrumentation-related functions are fully controlled via software that includes quantitative algorithms as well as script language for complex automated measurement tasks.

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