Low-power continuous-wave laser atomisation for spectrochemical analysis

Abstract

The results of an investigation on the use of a low-power (20 W) continuous-wave laser as an atomisation tool are presented. While with high-power laser microprobes the vapour is normally analysed by the light emitted by the laser plume, in the present work the atomic absorption is used to characterise the vapour composition. It is shown that the system can be used for spectrochemical analysis provided that the sample is in the presence of a gas at a pressure of approximately 1.5 Torr.