Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy sample chamber
Methods and apparatus for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sample chamber. An apparatus includes a sample chamber, a laser source connected to an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly connected to a first port on the sample chamber, a collimator assembly connected to a spectrometer, the collimator assembly connected to a second port on the sample chamber, and a first lens tube positioned on the first port and a second lens tube positioned on the second port, the first lens tube protecting the first port connected to the excitation optics assembly and the second lens tube protecting the second port connected to the collimator assembly from particles emitted when a laser pulse from the laser source ablates a surface of a target sample and generates a plasma.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a sample chamber;
a laser source connected to an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly connected to a first port on the sample chamber;
a collimator assembly connected to a spectrometer, the collimator assembly connected to a second port on the sample chamber; and
a first lens tube comprising an open end in the sample chamber and positioned on the first port and a second lens tube comprising an open end in the sample chamber and positioned on the second port, the first lens tube protecting the first port connected to the excitation optics assembly and the second lens tube protecting the second port connected to the collimator assembly from a build up of particles emitted when a laser pulse from the laser source ablates a surface of a target sample and generates a plasma.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target sample is positioned in the sample chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spectrometer is a laser induced breakdown spectrometer.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first lens tube and the second lens tube are constructed of a transparent material.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transparent material is glass.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transparent material is plastic.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transparent material is honeycombed.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first lens tube and the second lens tube are removable.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a sample chamber;
a laser source connected to an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly connected to a first port on the sample chamber;
a collimator assembly connected to a spectrometer, the collimator assembly connected to a second port on the sample chamber; and
a removable and optically transmissive partition secured into a sidewall of the sample chamber and positioned to physically separate the first port and the second port from a target sample, the removable and optically transmissive partition protecting the first port and the second port from a build up of particles emitted when a laser pulse from the laser source ablates a surface of the target sample and generates a plasma.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the target sample is positioned in the sample chamber.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the spectrometer is a laser induced breakdown spectrometer.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the removable and optically transmissive partition comprises a glass material.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the removable and optically transmissive partition comprises a plastic material.
14. An apparatus comprising:
a sample chamber;
a laser source connected to an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly connected to a first port on the sample chamber;
an output end of a light pipe connected to a spectrometer;
a collector end of the light pipe connected to the sample chamber, wherein the light pipe comprises a bend; and
a removable and optically transmissive partition secured into a sidewall of the sample chamber and positioned to physically separate the first port and a target sample, wherein the removable and optically transmissive partition protects the first port and the bend of the light pipe protects a lens from a build up of particles emitted when a laser pulse from the laser source ablates a surface of the target sample and generates a plasma.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the target sample is positioned in the sample chamber.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the spectrometer is a laser induced breakdown spectrometer.
17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the removable and optically transmissive partition comprises a glass material.
18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the removable and optically transmissive partition comprises a plastic material.
19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the light pipe is releasably connected to the sample chamber.
20. An apparatus comprising:
a sample chamber;
a laser source connected to an excitation optics assembly, the excitation optics assembly connected to a first port on the sample chamber;
a collimator assembly connected to a spectrometer, the collimator assembly connected to a second port on the sample chamber; and
a lens tube comprising an open end in the sample chamber and positioned on the first or second port, the lens tube protecting the first port connected to the excitation optics assembly or the second port connected to the collimator assembly, from a build up of particles emitted when a laser pulse from the laser source ablates a surface of a target sample and generates a plasma.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 further including an output end of a light pipe connected to a spectrometer, and a collector end of the light pipe connected to the sample chamber.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lens tube is constructed of a transparent material.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the transparent material is glass.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the transparent material is plastic.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the transparent material is honeycombed.
26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lens tube is removable.