Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

To verify that valve castings and weld materials consistently meet stringent low Residual Element (RE) requirements, we have purchased the SciAps Z-200 C+ Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzer. This is a significant step forward in our industrial valve repair processes, providing us with a dedicated and highly capable instrument for alloy analysis, with a particular emphasis on accurate carbon content determination. The Z-200 C+ LIBS analyzer offers a powerful and versatile solution for ensuring the integrity and performance of our critical valve components.

Handheld LIBS analyzers operate on the principle of atomic emission spectroscopy. The process begins with the device emitting a high-focused, pulsed laser beam that is directed onto the surface of the material sample being analyzed. The intense energy of this laser pulse causes rapid localized heating and vaporization of a minute amount of the sample, a process known as ablation. This ablation generates a high-temperature, short-lived plasma plume directly above the sample surface. Within this plasma, the constituent atoms and ions of the ablated material become electronically excited to higher energy levels. As these excited atoms and ions spontaneously decay back down to their stable ground states, they emit photons of light at specific and characteristic wavelengths. These emitted wavelengths of light, often referred to as the element’s “unique fingerprints” or spectral lines, are distinct and identifiable for each individual element present in the sample.

The handheld LIBS analyzer captures and analyzes this emitted light using a sophisticated optical system and a high-resolution spectrometer. By measuring the wavelengths and intensities of these spectral lines, the instrument can perform both qualitative identification of the elements present in the material and quantitative determination of their concentrations. This makes handheld LIBS analysis an exceptionally valuable and efficient tool for rapid and accurate material verification.

One of the key advantages that sets LIBS technology apart from traditional X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Positive Material Identification (PMI) techniques is its inherent sensitivity, particularly for lighter elements. While XRF excels at analyzing heavier metals, its performance can be limited when it comes to detecting and quantifying lighter elements. In contrast, LIBS is significantly more sensitive and demonstrably better suited for the detection and accurate measurement of crucial light elements such as aluminum (Al), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), carbon (C), and beryllium (Be). This enhanced capability for light element analysis makes the Z-200 C+ LIBS analyzer an indispensable asset for Southern Valve, enabling us to confidently meet and exceed the increasingly stringent low RE requirements in our industry.