Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: a technique for atomic detection and molecular identification

The emission spectra from laser-induced breakdown plasmas as a technique for atomic identification is used with time resolution to determine trace constituents in gases. (GHT

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: detecting sodium and potassium in coal gasifiers

The goal of this research program is the eventual development of a real-time monitor of trace quantities of elements present in hostile environments such as coal gasifier process streams. With laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), we have demonstrated the ability to probe a real process stream and achieve appropriate levels of detectability for sodium and potassium with real-time response. TRELIBS (time-resolved LIBS) will extend the capabilities of this form of emission spectroscopy to both better sensitivity and higher pressure environments. The difficult problem of quantification is being investigated

Optimal values of rovibronic energy levels for triplet electronic states of molecular deuterium

Optimal set of 1050 rovibronic energy levels for 35 triplet electronic states of $D_2$ has been obtained by means of a statistical analysis of all available wavenumbers of triplet-triplet rovibronic transitions studied in emission, absorption, laser and anticrossing spectroscopic experiments of various authors. We used a new method of the analysis (Lavrov, Ryazanov, JETP Letters, 2005), which does not need any \it a priory \rm assumptions concerning the molecular structure being based on only two fundamental principles: Rydberg-Ritz and maximum likelihood. The method provides the opportunity to obtain the RMS estimates for uncertainties of the experimental wavenumbers independent from those presented in original papers. 234 from 3822 published wavenumber values were found to be spurious, while the remaining set of the data may be divided into 20 subsets (samples) of uniformly precise data having close to normal distributions of random errors within the samples. New experimental wavenumber values of 125 questionable lines were obtained in the present work. Optimal values of the rovibronic levels were obtained from the experimental data set consisting of 3713 wavenumber values (3588 old and 125 new). The unknown shift between levels of ortho- and para- deuterium was found by least squares analysis of the $a^3\Sigma_g^+$, $v = 0$, $N = 0 \div 18$ rovibronic levels with odd and even values of $N$. All the energy levels were obtained relative to the lowest vibro-rotational level ($v = 0$, $N = 0$) of the $a^3\Sigma_g^+$ electronic state, and presented in tabular form together with the standard deviations of the empirical determination. New energy level values differ significantly from those available in literature.Comment: 46 pages, 9 picture

On the measurement of laser-induced plasma breakdown thresholds

The breakdown threshold of a gas exposed to intense laser-radiation is a function of gas and laser properties. Breakdown thresholds reported in the literature often vary greatly and these differences can partially be traced back to the method that is typically used to determine breakdown thresholds. This paper discusses the traditional method used to determine breakdown thresholds and the potential errors that can arise using this approach, and presents an alternative method which can yield more accurate data especially when determining breakdown thresholds as functions of gas pressure

Oscillator Strengths and Damping Constants for Atomic Lines in the J and H Bands

We have built a line list in the near-infrared J and H bands (1.00-1.34, 1.49-1.80 um) by gathering a series of laboratory and computed line lists. Oscillator strengths and damping constants were computed or obtained by fitting the solar spectrum. The line list presented in this paper is, to our knowledge, the most complete one now available, and supersedes previous lists.Comment: Accepted, Astrophysical Journal Supplement, tentatively scheduled for the Sep. 1999 Vol. 124 #1 issue. Text and tables also available at http://www.iagusp.usp.br/~jorge