Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for the study of cesium in aqueous solution

An experimental study has been conducted for the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection of Cs in aqueous solution. Fifteen calibration standards were prepared with concentrations ranging between 10 ppm to 10000 ppm for Cs by suitably diluting the stock solution(10000 ppm) with1M HNO₃. 40 μL of solution was transferred drop-wise on to a graphite planchet used for LIBS study. In the present work six Cs emission lines were identified by spectrum comparison. Different dynamic range has been shown by all the identified emission lines of Cs. In lower concentration range (below than 300 ppm), Cs(I) 852.11 nm emission line is the only option for Cs detection. Also for higher concentration range (more than 5000 ppm), two Cs emission lines (Cs (I) 672.32 nm and Cs (I) 697.32 nm) are applicable for Cs detection.Cs(I) 852.11 nm emission line shows the minimum detectable Cs concentration of 8.67 ppm in the aqueous solution samples.(author)