Patent ID: 6700660
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A laser-induced plasma spectroscopy apparatus for the analysis of the composition of liquid and molten materials comprising:a laser emitting pulses at given repetition rate and along a given beam path; an optical means to direct the laser pulses to a location at a surface of the liquid to generate a plasma that emits elemental radiation that corresponds to at least one compositional element of the liquid; a probe structure, which detects the emitted elemental radiation along a detection path, said probe structure including an optical window, a spectrometer for analyzing the spectra of the emitted radiation, a detector to detect the light diffracted by the spectrometer, a data processor which determines a concentration of the predetermined element; and a flow cell assembly which establishes a substantially steady flow of the liquid past the said location at the surface of the liquid, the flowing liquid at this location being truly representative of the liquid bulk flown into the cell, said flow sufficient to prevent said pulses from perturbing said surface at said location, said cell assembly including a controller to control the liquid surface level and the flow speed.