Discrimination of bimetallic alloy targets using femtosecond filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy

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we have successfully demonstrated 6.5 m ST analysis of metals and bimetallic alloy targets using the ST-FIBS technique in laboratory conditions. A Schmidt– Cassegrain telescope with good transmission in the visible range was used to collect the plasma emission. The results obtained from PCA analysis clearly demonstrated that the ST-FIBS technique is adept in classifying targets with similar composition though, in some cases, there was a small overlap in the grouping. However, supervised algorithms such as partial least squares discriminant analysis or soft independent modeling by class analogy can further be implemented for enhanced class wise labeling. The variation in characteristic intensities of constituent transitions in bimetallic targets with respect to their weight percentages demonstrated the promise of femtosecond filaments for ST analytical applications. Detailed studies on the types and properties of filaments produced and, consequently, their effects on the LIBS plasma will enable the development of an efficient technique for ST trace analysis of any material. Further studies are also warranted on optimizing the LIBS signal collection efficiency.

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