Automation and real-time element detection by Laser Induced Plasma Spectroscopy (LIBS)

• Grant number: 24/13934-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo de Boni
• Grantee: Pedro Kleinschmitt Krause
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/11283-7 - Nonlinear photonics: spectroscopy and advanced processing of materials, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project seeks to improve the use of the femtosecond LIBS system present in the Photonics laboratory of the São Carlos Institute of Physics, automating communication with spectrum collection and sample movement devices, providing a graphical interface to the user with treatment possibilities of the spectra during the LIBS measurement. Furthermore, regarding the importance of automating the experiment, we intend to expand the LIBS system by adding a monochromator with a photomultiplier to increase the sensitivity of the technique. Due to the high repetition rate of the laser used (1 kHz), it provides lock-in detection, which allows detection of signals with amplitudes orders of magnitude lower. This will improve the quality of the analysis and, mainly, the quantification of certain elements in small quantities (ppm and possibly ppb). During the execution of this project, an algorithm will also be developed for the real-time detection of elements during the LIBS measurement, also to be made available in the main operation program of the technique.