Fang Yu Yueh

Characterization of malignant tissue cells by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Cancer diagnosis and classification is extremely complicated and, for the most part, relies on subjective interpretation of biopsy material. Such methods are laborious and in some cases might result in different results depending on the histopathologist doing the examination. Automated, real-time diagnostic procedures would greatly facilitate cancer diagnosis and classification. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used for the first time to our knowledge to distinguish normal and malignant tumor cells from histological sections. We found that the concentration of trace elements in normal and tumor cells was significantly different. For comparison, the tissue samples were also analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICPES) system. The results from the LIBS measurement and ICPES analysis were in good agreement.

Parametric study of a fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy probe for analysis of aluminum alloys

Abstract In the present work we demonstrate a fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FO LIBS) system for delivering laser energy to a sample surface to produce a spark as well as to collect the resulting radiation from the laser-induced spark. In order to improve the signal/background (S/B) ratio, various experimental parameters, such as laser energy, gate delay and width, detector gain, lenses of different focal lengths and sample surface, were tested. In order to provide high reliability and repeatability in the analysis, we also measured plasma parameters, such as electron density and plasma temperature, and determined their influence on the measurement results. The performance of FO LIBS was also compared with that of a LIBS system that does not use a fiber to transmit the laser beam. LIBS spectra with a good S/B were recorded at 2-μs gate delay and width. LIBS spectra of six different Al alloy samples were recorded to obtain calibration data. We were able to obtain linear calibration data for numerous elements (Cr, Zn, Fe, Ni, Mn, Mg and Cu). A linear calibration curve for LIBS intensity ratio vs. concentration ratio reduces the effect of physical variables (i.e. shot-to-shot power fluctuation, sample-to-surface distance, and physical properties of the samples). Our results reveal that this system may be useful in designing a high-temperature LIBS probe for measuring the elemental composition of Al melt.

Quantitative analysis of slurry sample by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been employed for the analysis of slurry samples. Quantitative analysis of slurry samples is crucial and challenging. The problems associated with slurry samples include splashing, surface turbulence, and the difficulties of obtaining reproducible samples due to sedimentation. The LIBS analysis has achieved limited success due to inherent disadvantages when applied to slurry samples. In order to achieve improved measurement precision and accuracy, a spin-on-glass sampling method was evaluated. Five elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Ni, and Si) were examined in five slurry simulants containing varying amounts of each ion. Three calibration models were developed by using univariate calibration, multiple linear regression, and partial least square regression. LIBS analysis results obtained from the partial least square regression model were determined to be the best fit to results obtained from inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy analysis.

Time-dependent single and double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of chromium in liquid

A study of aqueous solutions of chromium using single and double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is presented. Three atomic emission lines show enhancement in emission under dual pulse LIBS excitation. The temporal evolution of line emission indicates that a shock wave front produced by the first laser pulse plays an important role in determining the decay rate of intensity by excitation transfer in single pulse LIBS and by plasma confinement in double pulse LIBS. The ratio of emission in dual pulse LIBS to single pulse LIBS with time shows a linear increase followed by the onset of saturation. A theoretical calculation of the enhancement is found to be in qualitative agreement with the experimental results, suggesting that material ablation in dual pulse LIBS should be > or = 3.5 times that of single pulse LIBS. There is indication that the increase in ablation and subsequent enhancement in emission may be due to the rarefied gas density inside the region enclosed by the shock wave produced by the first laser pulse. The limit of detection of Cr in aqueous solution has been improved by an order of magnitude with double pulse LIBS.

Theoretical model for double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

We present a simple theoretical model for the emission from double pulse laser-induced plasmas that was developed to better understand the processes and factors involved in enhancement of plasma emission. In this model, the plasma emission is directly proportional to the square of plasma density, its volume, and the fraction of second laser pulse absorbed through inverse bremsstrahlung absorption by the plasma plume of the first laser pulse. The electron-ion collision frequency determines the profile and location of the peak of emission enhancement with respect to the delay between the two lasers, whereas the amplitude of the enhancement is mainly dependent on the increase in the mass ablation rate after the second laser pulse. The effects of increase in temperature and in plasma volume after the second laser pulse are also discussed in light of this model.

Evaluation of Optical Depths and Self-Absorption of Strontium and Aluminum Emission Lines in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS):

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a widely used laser spectroscopic technique in various fields, such as material science, forensic science, biological science, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In most LIBS work, the analysis is performed using radiative transitions from atomic emissions. In this study, the plasma temperature and the product N l (the number density N and the absorption path length l ) were determined to evaluate the optical depths and the self-absorption of Sr and Al lines. A binary mixture of strontium nitrate and aluminum oxide was used as a sample, consisting of variety of different concentrations in powder form. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy spectra were collected by varying various parameters, such as laser energy, gate delay time, and gate width time to optimize the LIBS signals. Atomic emission from Sr and Al lines, as observed in the LIBS spectra of different sample compositions, was used to characterize the laser induced plasma and evaluate the optical depths and self-absorption of LIBS.

Comparative study of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurement using two slurry circulation systems

The experimental conditions associated with slurry measurements to achieve good precision by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) are examined. LIBS analysis was applied to a special waste slurry sample that contains 85.4% water, 2.5% ferric oxide Fe(2)O(3), 1.7% alumina Al(2)O(3), and small quantities of oxides of boron and chromium. While liquids add challenge to LIBS measurements, the analysis was successfully performed on iron and aluminum. Two slurry circulation systems were devised to overcome the major technical problems associated with LIBS measurements of slurry samples, namely, sedimentation and change in the lens-to-sample distance during measurement. LIBS slurry measurements using both circulation systems are compared. The results show that the experimental configuration plays a crucial role for online slurry analysis.

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy of liquid and solid samples in the presence of magnetic field

Investigation of optical emission from laser-produced plasma expanding across an external magnetic field is the subject of current interest and has its application in various field of research[1-2]. It is well known that various external parameters such as energy and wavelength of the laser, electric and magnetic field, and ambient condition, affects the plasma parameters and emission properties. The effects of magnetic field on the emission properties of laser-produced plasma have been studied earlier [1-2]. During the process of plasma expansion (deceleration in the presence of magnetic field), the kinetic energy of the plasma is totally transformed into thermal energy of the plasma as well as in the energy of the magnetic field. In this situation, the plasmas emission as well as its various other physical properties change. Effect of magnetic field on the emission from the laser-produced plasma has been studied by many authors from X-ray to visible wavelength range at different experimental conditions. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a laser based diagnostics technique, which has been used to study the atomic emission from various samples such as solid, liquid or gas [3]. In the light of the above discussion, it will be interesting to study the effect of a low intensity steady magnetic field on the LIBS signal from liquid as well as solid samples, which will be important for trace element analysis. In the present experiment we have studied the emission properties of the laser-produced plasma from the metal seeded liquid samples as well as aluminum alloy in the presence of magnetic field.