Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy determination of toxic metals in fresh fish.

A method based on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for monitoring lead and copper accumulation in edible fish, particularly "tilapia del Nilo" (Oreochromis niloticus) is presented. The capability of this analytical method is compared with results obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. Detection limits by LIBS are 25 parts per million (ppm) for Pb and 100 ppm for Cu, values that are below the maximum permissible levels of some international standards. Application of LIBS detection allows the development of portable instruments for contamination control of edible fish.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy microanalysis of trace elements in Homo sapiens teeth.

Two of the main items from which to retrieve data in anthropology are teeth and bones. Identification of trace elements in their composition allows valuable information to be obtained about alimentary habits and community life conditions of groups and individuals. Conventional methods used to determine the presence of trace elements require sample preparation, with partial or total destruction of the pieces, which in most cases are unique. In this work we show the possibilities of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a nearly nondestructive tool in anthropology and paleontology for the measurement of the presence and distribution of trace elements in teeth. We applied LIBS to the determination of strontium and magnesium in dentin and enamel of Neolithic, middle age, and modern Homo sapiens teeth. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca distribution maps of dentin and enamel in modern teeth were created using the data obtained. Ablation threshold fluences of dentin and enamel were also measured using the photoacoustic signal induced by laser ablation. Significant variations were found in the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in the tooth dental tissue and between the teeth of the groups and individuals studied. These results can be useful for evolutionary anthropology studies as they can provide information regarding early nutrition, seasonality, and residential mobility.

Surface treatment analyses of car bearings by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Determination of surface coating composition is a problem of great importance for industry and production related to the quality control of products and processes. One of the most outstanding aspects of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is its unique ability to carry out real-time depth profile analysis. This allows, for instance, the identification of layered coatings composition. In this work we performed depth profile analysis using LIBS to determine the composition of layered surface treatments of car bearings. Laser ablation thresholds for each coating layer were determined by acoustic measurements. Transitions between the different coating layers were also identified by an acoustic method. We developed faster and simpler semi-quantitative procedures to determine the relative composition of alloy surface coatings of car bearings as well as the possibility to characterize in real time these treatments.

Photophysical properties of corrphycenes.

The photophysical properties of the Zn salt of octaethylcorrphycene (compound 1) and the doubly protonated octaethylcorrphycene (compound 2) were determined in benzene solutions. Fluorescence spectra and fluorescence quantum yields of phiF (1) = 0.03+/-0.02 and PF (2) = 0.06+/-0.02 were measured. The triplet-triplet absorption spectra were obtained by means of flash-photolysis experiments. The triplet quantum yield values phiT (1) = 0.79+/-0.08 and phiT (2) = 0.82+/-0.08 were obtained by using laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy. The quantum yield of singlet molecular oxygen generation in air-saturated solutions, phidelta (1) = 0.55+/-0.07 and phidelta (2) = 0.38+/-0.05, were also measured using time resolved NIR luminescence.

A photophysical study of purines and theophylline by using laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy.

The photophysics of purinic compounds (purine, 6-methylpurine, 6-aminopurine [adenine], 6-chloropurine, 6-methoxypurine) and theophylline in acetonitrile solution were studied by pulsed laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy (LIOAS) exciting at 266 nm. The effect of O2, Xe and MnCl2 on the photophysical behavior of these compounds was studied; as well, the formation quantum yield of purine and 6-methylpurine triplet states were determined, with phi T = 0.88 +/- 0.03 for both compounds. Multiphotonic and depletion processes were observed at high laser fluences. In order to explain this behavior, theoretical UV-visible absorption electronic spectra from both the S0 and S1 state have been calculated for purines and theophylline by using the semiempirical PM3 and ZINDO/S methods.

Double-slit camera.

This Technical Note is a comment on the imaging properties of the double-slit camera. We show its application to the correction of geometrical distortions and propose some other possibilities.