Implementation and development of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abstract

The aim of this project is the development and implementation of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), an analytical technique based on sampling and excitation of atoms and molecules induced by laser. Most recently, LlBS has been considered a very promising analytical tool for in situ quantitative chemical analysis, either in industrial process as well as in the field. However, there is a lack of well-established methods when compared to the "super stars" of atomic spectrometry, namely GFAAS (Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry), ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). The project will contribute to the development of fundamental studies in physics of plasmas induced by lasers from nanoseconds up to femtoseconds with peak powers of TeraWatt, as well as to the development and implementation of quantitative analytical methods for the determination of chemical species in materials of agronomic, environmental, industrial and forensic interest. All studies will be driven in collaboration with experimented scientific research groups in physics of laser appIication and analytical chemistry, and with the Environmental Protection Agency of São Paulo State (CETESB). The project also includes the development and evaluation of commercially available portable LlBS for in situ analysis of soils in collaboration with Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). (AU)