Patent ID: 7535565

Claim:
A system for performing laser plasma spectroscopy on a surface of a component, the system comprising: a laser energy source; a probe interconnected with the laser energy source to receive a laser beam therefrom, the probe comprising an outer member and at least first and second inner members within the outer member, at least one of the first and second inner members being rotatable within the outer member, each of the first and second inner members individually comprising a lens for focusing the laser beam and means for redirecting the laser beam prior to exiting the probe, the probe having an exterior configuration that enables the probe to be fixedly positioned sufficiently close to the component to enable the laser beam exiting the probe to be directed onto the surface of the component and manipulated by relative movement of the first and second inner members while the component is stationary to scan an area of the surface over a range of focal depths, the probe being configured to collect radiation emitted from a laser-induced plasma generated by the laser beam at the surface of the component; means for transmitting the radiation from the probe; and means for spectrally analyzing the radiation transmitted from the probe.