title: Parametric study of pellets for elemental analysis with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.
abstract: The effect of various parameters on the accuracy of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data taken from pellet samples has been investigated. The dependence of the standard deviation of the LIBS data on the amount and nature of the binder used, pressure used to press the powder into a pellet, and the position of the focal spot on the pellet has been investigated. Pellets made from industrially important materials such as silica, alumina, and lime with polyvinyl alcohol, sucrose, and starch as binders have been studied. The results thus obtained are tested by preparation of the calibration curves for Si, Fe, and B in the pellets made from the powder glass batch used as a surrogate for the batch employed for the vitrification of radioactive waste.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi 39759, USA.
authors.forename: Bansi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: Hongbo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Fang-Yu
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Yueh
authors.forename: Jagdish P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Singh