Homogeneous-material-based calibration method for correcting laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurement-error bias in the case of dust pollution

A calibration method based on homogeneous material for correcting laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurement-error bias in the case of dust pollution under laboratory conditions is proposed. The measured plasma spectra of the sample can be corrected by measuring the spectral integral of the homogeneous material. Thus, we can effectively minimize the dust pollution effect on LIBS and guarantee its precision. Results show that the mean absolute errors of CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, and SiO2 in cement samples are decreased notably from 1.02%, 0.06%, 0.15%, 0.57%, and 0.80% to 0.41%, 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.35%, and 0.39%, respectively. Combination of this calibration method with the traditional optical dustproof methods will significantly extend the LIBS equipment maintenance cycle and make preliminary preparations for the next practical industrial application. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America