Elemental analysis of molybdenum ore using charge coupled device (CCD) and intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) based LIBS systems

Time-resolved data acquisition is crucial for compositional analysis using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). It can be managed by adjusting the delay time and gate width of the spectrometer. This study describes the compositional analysis of molybdenum (Mo) ore utilizing charge coupled device (CCD) and intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) based LIBS systems. LIBS was successfully used for both quantitative and qualitative analysis of molybdenum ore. Spectra were recorded with CCD and ICCD spectrometers. Plasma parameters were estimated from LIBS spectra to diagnose the plasma thoroughly. A performance comparison was conducted among LIBS measurements using ICCD, CCD, and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The quantitative analysis of molybdenum ore was carried out using calibration-free LIBS. Both major and trace elements were identified in the spectra. Optical emission spectra showed varying element concentrations of Mo, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, potassium, tungsten, and sodium. The XRF was used to compare the performance of LIBS techniques. Results from the compositional analysis of molybdenum ore using ICCD, CCD-based LIBS, and XRF showed good agreement. It is demonstrated that CCD can produce nearly the same results as ICCD within acceptable error margins. The CCD-based LIBS system is a cost-effective analytical method with additional benefits for field applications because it does not require a temperature-controlled environment for operation.