Design and construction of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system for LIBS measurements

A passive, Q-switched pulsed, Nd:YAG laser system was designed and built, which can provide a potential compact robust laser source for portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy systems.The developed laser system operates at 1064 nm. Each laser shot contains a train of pulses having maximum total output energy of 170 mJ. The number of pulses varies from 1–6 pulses in each laser shot depending on the pump energy. The pulse width of each pulse ranges from 20 to 30 ns. The total duration of the output pulse train is within 300 μs. The multi-pulse nature of the laser shots was employed to enhance the LIBS signal. To validate the system, LIBS measurements and analysis were performed on ancient ceramic samples collected from Al-Fustat excavation in Old Cairo. The samples belong to different Islamic periods in Egypt history. The results obtained are highly indicative that useful information can be provided to archeologists for use in restoring and repairing of precious archeological objects.

► Design and construction a multipulse passive, Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser system.
► Laser system is compact robust and could be used a laser source for portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy systems.
► Multi-pulse nature of the laser shots were employed to enhance the LIBS signal.
► Data indicates that the laser used in these measurements is appropriate for LIBS application.