Analysis of corroded glasses by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

In the present work, the possibilities of application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the diagnosis and analysis of uncorroded and artificially weathered glasses have been studied. Optimization of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy parameters included the energy per pulse and number of pulses. Analysis of spectra allowed the identification, not only of the major components but also of the chromophores of the glass samples considered. Stratigraphic analyses, performed by applying successive laser pulses on the same spot, allowed the detection of the different corrosion layers built up during weathering (corrosion crust, gel layer and unaltered glass bulk). Finally, the comparison of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy results with the conventional techniques Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy revealed the advantages of this spectroscopic technique for the practice of glass conservation.