Design and implementation of passive Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) applications

A passive, Q-switched pulsed, Nd:YAG laser system was modeled, designed, and implemented to provide a reliable laser source for portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) systems instead the ordinary systems that are using laser pulses separated by some delay with microsecond order. The designed system consists of a Nd:YAG rod that is pumped by a flash lamp. Our choice for flash lamp as a pumping source based on the fact that flash lamps are fairly inexpensive and are capable of delivering enough amount of optical power in a short time span. We have successfully implemented a xenon-flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser passively Q-switched with a Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber operates at 1064 nm contains a train of pulses having maximum with total output energy of 700 mJ . The pulse width of the train of pulses is about 37ns and the main output pulse train is within 550 μs. These laser shots were employed to enhance the LIBS signal. System verification was performed by LIBS measurements and analysis on different ancient ceramic samples belongs to different ancient Egyptian Islamic eras. The results showed highly robust and trusted information that can help archeologists in restoring and repairing different precious archeological objects.