Just Published: Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

A new issue of this journal has just been published. To see abstracts of the papers it contains (with links through to the full papers) click here:

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy
http://rss.sciencedirect.com/publication/science/5287

Selected papers from the latest issue:

2.

Pre-flight calibration and initial data processing for the ChemCam laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory rover   Original Research Article Pages 1-27 R.C. Wiens, S. Maurice, J. Lasue, O. Forni, R.B. Anderson, S. Clegg, S. Bender, D. Blaney, B.L. Barraclough, A. Cousin, L. Deflores, D. Delapp, M.D. Dyar, C. Fabre, O. Gasnault, N. Lanza, J. Mazoyer, N. Melikechi, P.-Y. Meslin, H. Newsom, A. Ollila, R. Perez, R.L. Tokar, D. Vaniman Highlights ► We describe a LIBS spectral training set of 69 geological standards. ► ChemCam Mars LIBS data processing is described. Detection limits are given. ► Laser coupling, plasma temperature, accuracy, and precision are detailed.

3.

Analysis of liquid sodium purity by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Modeling and correction of signal fluctuation prior to quantitation of trace elements   Original Research Article Pages 28-35 Cécile Maury, Jean-Baptiste Sirven, Michel Tabarant, Daniel L'Hermite, Jean-Louis Courouau, Catherine Gallou, Nadège Caron, Gilles Moutiers, Valérie Cabuil Highlights ► Direct analysis of liquid sodium purity is performed using LIBS. ► Calibration lines are obtained using the standard addition method. ► Detection limits are calculated for lead and indium. ► Intensity drifts are observed due to pressure variations. ► Drifts are modeled and corrected to decrease the analytical signal noise.

4.

A general Monte Carlo simulation of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers — Part 6. Quantification through iterative simulations   Original Research Article Pages 36-41 Tom Schoonjans, Vicente Armando Solé, Laszlo Vincze, Manuel Sanchez del Rio, Karen Appel, Claudio Ferrero Highlights ► A new quantification tool for ED-XRF data is presented. ► The routines are based on the iterative application of Monte Carlo simulations. ► The implementation can be called from within the widespread PyMca package. ► The code is provided under the open-source GPL license at github.

5.

Insights in the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy signal generation underwater using dual pulse excitation — Part I: Vapor bubble, shockwaves and plasma   Original Research Article Pages 42-49 V. Lazic, J.J. Laserna, S. Jovicevic Highlights ► Primary plasma during the first μs is irregular due to particle expulsion. ► Later the plasma grows into the evolving bubble, its emission lasts more than 30μs. ► The initial shockwave and its echoes alter locally the refraction index. ► Defocusing by the bubble apparently reduces the dimensions of the secondary plasma. ► Reflections at the bubble wall redistribute the intensity of the secondary plasma.

6.

Insights in the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy signal generation underwater using dual pulse excitation — Part II: Plasma emission intensity as a function of interpulse delay   Original Research Article Pages 50-59 V. Lazic, J.J. Laserna, S. Jovicevic Highlights ► DP-LIBS signal dependence in liquids on interpulse delay is fully explained. ► Formation and detection of the plasma depend on optical properties of the gas bubble. ► In the expanded bubble the signal recovers by Snell's reflections at the interface. ► Lifetime of the secondary plasma reduces with the bubble expansion. ► Transitions of pressure waves through the focal volume enhance the DP-LIBS signal.

Technical Notes

7.

Micro-electrodeposition in the presence of ionic liquid for the preconcentration of trace amounts of Fe, Co, Ni and Zn from aqueous samples    Pages 60-64 Beata Zawisza, Rafał Sitko Highlights ► A novel method of micro sample preparation for XRF analysis is proposed. ► Electrodeposition is performed using microcathode. ► A novel modification of electrodeposition method is using ionic liquid. ► The method can be combined with many techniques for multielement trace analysis.

8.

Quantitative analysis of oxide materials by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with argon as an internal standard    Pages 65-70 R.J. Lasheras, C. Bello-Gálvez, J.M. Anzano Highlights ► Multi-elemental quantitative analysis of oxide material using LIBS was developed. ► A buffer gas was used to minimize the matrix effect and as an internal standard. ► The LIBS results were compared with ICP, successfully.

9.

Nanoliter deposition unit for pipetting droplets of small volumes for Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence applications    Pages 71-75 A. Wastl, F. Stadlbauer, J. Prost, C. Horntrich, P. Kregsamer, P. Wobrauschek, C. Streli Highlights ► The system produces very accurate and reliable samples. ► Volumes below 1μl can be applied. ► Precise patterns can be deposited on different sample carriers. ► Typical angle independency below critical angle can be shown.

Analytical Note

10.

An experimental observation of the different behavior of ionic and neutral lines of iron as a function of number density in a binary carbon–iron mixture    Pages 76-82 P. Sivakumar, L. Taleh, Y. Markushin, N. Melikechi, J. Lasue Highlights ► The effects of the size of the particles on the fluctuations of the LIBS signals ► The variation of LIBS signals with the concentrations of Fe embedded in C is nontrivial. ► The intensities of neutral atomic lines can behave differently than those of ions.