Comparative study of LIBS signal for single and colliding plasma plumes in a variable magnetic field

A comparative study of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of brass and aluminium targets has been performed under different experimental configurations, conditions i.e. in the presence of magnetic field and laterally colliding plasmas in the absence as well as in the presence of transverse magnetic field with an objective to improve the detection sensitivity of LIBS signal. Helmholtz coil with pulsed power system is used to generate transverse magnetic fields of 0.07 T and 0.21 T. Comparison of observed LIBS signals of single and colliding plasmas is presented. Significant enhancement in the intensities of observed LIBS lines is noticed in case of colliding plasma with magnetic field. LIBS analysis of the colliding plasma (interaction region) in the presence of magnetic field is attempted for the first time and observed results show drastic improvement in the detection sensitivity. Observed findings are correlated with the variation in characteristics plasma parameters in different experimental configurations. Calibration-free elemental analysis under different experimental conditions is also performed for comparative evaluation.

Automated summary

This paper presents a comparative study of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) of brass and aluminium targets under different experimental configurations and conditions. The aim is to improve the detection sensitivity of the LIBS signal by introducing a magnetic field and colliding plasmas. The results show that colliding plasma with a magnetic field significantly enhances the intensities of observed LIBS lines. Furthermore, LIBS analysis of the colliding plasma in the presence of a magnetic field demonstrates a drastic improvement in detection sensitivity. Calibration-free elemental analysis is also performed for comparative evaluation.