Effect of Ambient Conditions on Laser-Induced Breakdown
Spectra¹

M. A. Gondal^a, * and A. A. I. Khalil^{b, c}

^a Laser Research Group, Physics Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Box 5047, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

^b National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, (NILES), Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt

^c Physics Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Dammam University, Dammam 31113, Saudi Arabia

*e-mail: magondal@kfupm.edu.sa

Received July 5, 2012

Abstract—The role of different ambient conditions on LIBS signal intensity was investigated for better under-
standing and performance of LIBS as a quantitative and qualitative analytical technique. For this purpose, the rel-
ative LIBS signal intensities were measured for a standard Cr line (520.8 nm) at different gas pressures of Ar, He,
and air. The plasma was generated using a Q-switched pulsed Nd:YAG laser having wavelength of 1064 nm and
pulse duration of 8 ns. The analysis revealed that the intensities of the spectral atomic Cr line (520.8 nm) were
strongly enhanced under the argon environment in 10–40 mbar range. The electron excitation temperature (T_e) and
number density (n_e) were estimated by using a Boltzmann plot and a Stark broadening profile, respectively. For
optimum dependence of LIBS, laser energy and pressure dependence was also studied. The electron temperature
and number density showed an increase with increase in ambient gas pressure.

10.1134/S1054660X12120080

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