OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY OF PLASMA INDUCED BY IRRADIATION OF ANIMAL BONE WITH TEA CO2 LASER

Abstract

The application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the elemental analysis of pig shoulder bone samples is reported. Measurements were performed using a compact laboratory-made TEA CO2 laser with low pulse energy. The recorded spectra consisted of well-defined lines of atoms and single charged ions of Ca, Mg, P, and other constituent elements, with a good signal-to-noise ratio suitable for spectrochemical analysis. Based on the ICP quantitative analysis of the bone sample, the limits of detection of LIBS analysis were estimated for Mg (16 ppm) and Na (940 ppm). Plasma parameters, temperature, and electron number density were determined by measuring Stark widths and relative intensities of the C and Mg ionic and atomic spectral lines.