A prototype laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor is tested for the determination of rare earth elements (Eu and Yb) in liquid and solid samples. The sensor head, built using a monolithic passively Q-switched (PQSW) Nd:YAG laser, produced a 1064 nm laser beam with ns pulses and an energy of 4.2 mJ. The measurements show good calibration linearity for both Eu and Yb with R2 values above 0.99 for all analyzed spectral lines in liquid and solid samples. Limits of detection (LODs) obtained were as low as 1 ppm, which are comparable to or better than those reported previously by using table top actively Q-switched systems. This study aims to develop a high sensitivity, field deployable sensor for characterizing existing and new sources of rare earth elements.
Evaluating Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Sensor Technology for Rapid Source Characterization of Rare Earth Elements
U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236;
National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236;
National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236;
National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
U.S. Department of Energy,
Morgantown, WV 26505
e-mail: Dustin.Mcintyre@netl.doe.gov
U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236;
National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236;
National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236;
National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
U.S. Department of Energy,
Morgantown, WV 26505
e-mail: Dustin.Mcintyre@netl.doe.gov
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received August 21, 2018; final manuscript received February 1, 2019; published online March 11, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Ashwani K. Gupta.The United States Government retains, and by accepting the article for publication, the publisher acknowledges that the United States Government retains, a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for United States government purposes.
Hartzler, D. A., Bhatt, C. R., Jain, J. C., and McIntyre, D. L. (March 11, 2019). "Evaluating Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Sensor Technology for Rapid Source Characterization of Rare Earth Elements." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. July 2019; 141(7): 070704. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042747
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