Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Steels at Atmospheric Pressure and in Air

In conventional, quantitative atomic absorption and atomic emission spectroscopy, sample preparation of solids usually involves the dissolution of the solids and the introduction of an aerosol or solution into the flame, graphite oven, or plasma. Sample contamination, especially from the more ubiquitous elements, is a continuing problem with these preinstrumental dissolution procedures at the mg/L level or lower. Also, elimination of these preinstrumental procedures would be major cost and time-saving factors.