Radomír Malina

Multielemental analysis of prehistoric animal teeth by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation (LA) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry (MS) were utilized for microspatial analyses of a prehistoric bear (Ursus arctos) tooth dentine. The distribution of selected trace elements (Sr, Ba, Fe) was measured on a 26 mm×15 mm large and 3 mm thick transverse cross section of a canine tooth. The Na and Mg content together with the distribution of matrix elements (Ca, P) was also monitored within this area. The depth of the LIBS craters was measured with an optical profilometer. As shown, both LIBS and LA-ICP-MS can be successfully used for the fast, spatially resolved analysis of prehistoric teeth samples. In addition to microchemical analysis, the sample hardness was calculated using LIBS plasma ionic-to-atomic line intensity ratios of Mg (or Ca). To validate the sample hardness calculations, the hardness was also measured with a Vickers microhardness tester.

Development of a remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system for investigation of calcified tissue samples

The development of a remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) setup with an off-axis Newtonian collection optics, Galilean-based focusing telescope, and a 532 nm flattop laser beam source is presented. The device was tested at a 6 m distance on a slice of bone to simulate its possible use in the field, e.g., during archaeological excavations. It is shown that this setup is sufficiently sensitive to both major (P, Mg) and minor elements (Na, Zn, Sr). The measured quantities of Mg, Zn, and Sr correspond to the values obtained by reference laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) measurements within an approximately 20% range of uncertainty. A single point calibration was performed by use of a bone meal standard . The radial element distribution is almost invariable by use of LA-ICP-MS, whereas the LIBS measurement showed a strong dependence on the sample porosity. Based on these results, this remote LIBS setup with a relatively large (350 mm) collecting mirror is capable of semiquantitative analysis at the level of units of mg kg−1.

Imaging of the expansion of femtosecond-laser-produced silicon plasma atoms by off-resonant planar laser-induced fluorescence

Planar laser-induced fluorescence measurements were used to investigate the expansion dynamics of a femtosecond laser-induced plasma. Temporally and spatially resolved measurements were performed to monitor the atoms that were ablated from a silicon target. A dye laser (lambda = 288.16 nm) was used to excite fluorescence signals. The radiation of an off-resonant transition (Si 390.55 nm) was observed at different distances from the target surface. This allowed easy detection of the ablated Si atoms without problems caused by scattered laser light. Abel inversion was applied to obtain the radial distribution of the Si atoms. The atom distribution in the plasma shows some peculiarities, depending on the crater depth.

Implementation of an autofocus algorithm based on searching the best in-focus image into a table-top laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy setup

Laser-ablation based spectrochemical analytical methods could be used in applications in which the capability for spatially resolved analysis is required. Such analysis gives a 2-D or 3-D map of the moni- tored chemical elements. Here we introduce automation of a 2-D surface analysis in the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy setup by imple- mentation of an autofocus algorithm based on the evaluation of the im- age sharpness. The most suitable algorithm with respect to its speed, accuracy, and durability against digital noise is chosen by testing differ- ent gradient-based methods and methods working in the frequency domain.

Tomographic system for 3D temperature reconstruction

The novel laboratory system for the optical tomography is used to obtain three-dimensional temperature field around a heated element. The Mach-Zehnder holographic interferometers with diffusive illumination of the phase object provide the possibility to scan of multidirectional holographic interferograms in the range of viewing angles from 0 deg to 108 deg. These interferograms form the input data for the computer tomography of the 3D distribution of the refractive index variation, which characterizes the physical state of the studied medium. The configuration of the system allows automatic projection scanning of the studied phase object. The computer calculates the wavefront deformation for each projection, making use of different methods of Fourier-transform and phase-sampling evaluations. The experimental set-up together with experimental results is presented.

System for optical tomography

A basic description of the system for optical tomography with diffusive illumination of the phase object is presented. The configuration of the system allows automatic projection scanning of the studied phase object (such as a burner flame or temperature fields around heated elements) in the range of viewing angles from 0 deg to 90 deg. The object’s projections are obtained using multidirectional holographic interferometry and consequently digitized by a CCD camera. A computer then calculates the wavefront deformation for each projection, and the subsequent tomographic reconstruction of each horizontal slice of the object is processed. Finally, all slices are interpolated and displayed. Here we present the experimental setup along with some experimental results.

Utilization of selected laser-ablation-based diagnostic methods for study of elemental distribution in various solid samples

Here we report on the recent developments and upgrades of our Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy setups and their different modification for high-resolution mapping. Mapping capabilities of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry are compared. The applied improvements as an autofocus algorithm, together with the realization of double-pulse LIBS or combination of LIBS by Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LIFS) with technique are detailed. The signal enhancement obtained by double-pulse approach is demonstrated. The state of the art on development of portable remote LIBS apparatus is also presented.

Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties of Bone Tissue Based on the CT and the µCT Slices

This article deals with presentation of data processing obtained from imaging CT (computer tomography) and micro CT devices. These methods enable to perform bone tissue density analysis by non-invasive way. The image processing methods, by which it is possible to determine mechanical properties of bone tissue, are described in this paper. Further, a creation of a computational model with different bone density of cancellous tissue is described and afterwards the stress strain analysis is performed. The mandible segments with different bone density were used as samples. Results show significantly higher stresses are reached in a cancellous bone tissue with worse bone quality.

Detection of Lead in Zea mays by Dual-Energy X-ray Microtomography at the SYRMEP Beamline of the ELETTRA Synchrotron and by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

This study is related to the application of the X‐ray dual‐energy microradiography technique together with the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for the detection of lead on Zea mays stem, ear, root, and leaf samples. To highlight the places with lead intake, the planar radiographs taken with monochromatic X‐ray radiation in absorption regime with photon energy below and above the absorption edge of a given chemical element, respectively, are analyzed and processed. To recognize the biological structures involved in the intake, the dual‐energy images with the lead signal have been compared with the optical images of the same Z. mays stem. The ear, stem, root, and leaf samples have also been analyzed with the AAS technique to measure the exact amount of the hyperaccumulated lead. The AAS measurement revealed that the highest intake occurred in the roots while the lowest in the maize ears and in the leaf. It seems there is a particular mechanism that protects the seeds and the leaves in the intake process. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010.

Multielemental mapping of archeological samples by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

The capability of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for multi-elemental mapping of archeological samples with high-spatial resolution is discussed. The outcomes of double- and single pulse LIBS techniques are compared.