Spectroscopic analysis of element concentrations in aluminum alloy using nanosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A plasma generated by 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser irradiation of aluminum alloy in air at atmospheric pressure was studied spectroscopically. The electron density was inferred by measuring the Stark broadened line profile of Cu(I) 324.75 nm, while the electron temperature was determined using the Boltzmann plot method with ten neutral iron lines. Based on the results, local thermodynamic equilibrium was studied. Moreover, calibration curves were presented for samples containing Si, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, Ni, Zn and Ti, and the limit of detection of trace elements was calculated based on experimental results.