Suppression of self-absorption in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using a double pulse orthogonal configuration to create vacuum-like conditions in atmospheric air pressure

Self-absorption, which is known to severely disturb identification of the emission peak intensity in emission-based spectroscopy, was first studied using ordinary single pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). It was found that severe self-absorption, with an evident self-reversal, occurs in the resonance emission lines of high concentration Na, K, and Al, and thus it is impossible to obtain the linear calibration curve required for quantitative analysis. To overcome this problem, we introduce a double pulse orthogonal technique in which the first laser is fired in a parallel orientation at a varied distance of 2–6 mm from the sample surface. It is well known that the strong shock wave generated by this laser irradiation temporarily creates a vacuum-like condition immediately in front of the sample surface. This action is followed by a second laser irradiation oriented perpendicular to the sample surface. The sample ablated by the second laser irradiation expands following the shockwave excitation process in the vacuum-like air atmosphere created by the first laser. The obtained spectra of the resonance emission lines of high concentration Na, K, and Al are free from the self-reversal and weakly affected by the self-absorption effect. A linear calibration curve that intercepts near zero point for K element over a wide concentration range is also demonstrated in this study. This simple modification is considered notably helpful in overcoming the self-absorption that occurs in ordinary single pulse atmospheric pressure LIBS.