Uranium Characterization by Shaped Femtosecond Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Year
2012
Author(s)
Jessica McNutt - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Jessica McNutt - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Kyle Hartig - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Kyle Hartig - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Phyllis Ko - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Igor Jovanovic - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Igor Jovanovic - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
P. Ko - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Abstract
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a well-established technique for elemental analysis of materials. There is growing interest in using LIBS for nuclear forensics applications because of its fast in-situ capability and minimum or no requirements for sample preparation. Hence, new methods to improve the LIBS sensitivity are continuing to be explored. Controlling the shape of ultrafast laser pulses that produce and interact with the plasma can be used to improve LIBS signals, and can be accomplished by the use of Fourier-domain pulse shapers. We present the result of our initial studies of natural uranium metal using LIBS with shaped femtosecond pulses. The acquired spectra are analyzed to determine the systematic effects of various pulse shapes on uranium spectral lines. The objective of our study is to determine the strategies for feedback-driven optimization of pulse shape for improvement of LIBS sensitivity in studying uranium for nuclear forensics applications.