Applied Photonics LIBSCAN 25+ Bedienungsanleitung

Portable, Modular

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

(LIBS) Instrument

User’s Manual

January 2018

Applied Photonics Ltd

Unit 8 Carleton Business Park, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 2DE, United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0) 1756 708900 Fax +44 (0) 1756 708909 Web: www.appliedphotonics.co.uk

Contents Page

1. Introduction 3

2. Safety 3

2.1 Laser radiation 3

2.2 Note on the laser safety window material used in the modular sample chambers 6

2.3 Electrical 7

3. General description 8

3.1 Overview 8

3.2 LIBSCAN 25+ instrument console 9

3.3 LIBSCAN 25+ head 10

3.4 The integrated pulsed laser 11

3.5 Laser beam expander and plasma light collection optics 12

3.6 Imaging camera and associated components 13

3.7 Attachment of the LIBSCAN 25+ head to an optical table 13

3.8 Modular sample chambers 14

4. General operating procedure 16

5. Shut-down procedure 21

6. Maintenance and inspection 21

7. Shipping and storage 21

8. Trouble-shooting / fault finding 22

Appendices

A1 EC Declaration of Conformity 23

1 Introduction

LIBSCAN 25+ is a fully portable Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument adopting

the same modular design principles used in our LIBSCAN range of products. Suitable for laboratory or

field applications, LIBSCAN 25+ operates from its internal 12 Volt 8Ah Li-Ion battery and can operate

for up to 4 hrs from a single charge. Recharging is achieved using a mains plug-in adaptor Li-Ion charger

which is supplied with the instrument. The six-channel design of LIBSCAN 25+ allows for up to six

compact spectrometers to be installed (approx. 185 –900 nm), depending upon the requirements of the

intended application and budget limitations. LIBSCAN 25+ can be supplied with an optional integrated

imaging camera for recording close-up video / still images of the sample. LIBSCAN 25+ is, by design, a

Class 4 laser product although when used with one of our range of modular sample chambers the product

meets Class 1 laser safety standards.

This User’s Manual provides the necessary information needed to configure the LIBSCAN 25+

instrument and how to use it safely. It is assumed that the user will be familiar with the safety issues

arising from the use of high-power lasers and will have preferably been trained in the safe use of high-

power laser products.

2 Safety

2.1 Laser radiation

LIBSCAN 25+ contains a high-power Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (Class 4, nominally 50 mJ @ 1064 nm,

5 ns pulse length, 1 Hz pulse repetition rate) and so it is imperative that it is operated only by suitably

trained and experienced persons who are fully aware of the hazards inherent to this type of high-power

laser equipment. It is imperative also that, prior to using the equipment, an appropriate risk assessment is

conducted in such a way as to take account of the proposed use of the equipment, the environment in

which the equipment is to be operated, and how its use may affect people who are not directly involved

with the use of the equipment.

Laser product classification label

LIBSCAN 25+ is designed to meet the laser safety requirements of the relevant European standards (BS

EN 60825-1: 2014) and USA standards (ANSI Z136.1 –2014). Although LIBSCAN 25+ may be

supplied with a sample chamber which provides adequate containment of the laser radiation to Class 1

Accessible Emission Limits, it is possible for the user to operate LIBSCAN 25+ without the sample

chamber (ie. operation in “open beam” mode as may be required for certain types of experiment).

Accordingly, it is necessary to consider LIBSCAN 25+ to be a Class 4 Laser Product and so, by

definition, the equipment poses a risk of personal injury (eye, skin injury) and poses a fire risk. As with

all Class 4 laser products, appropriate safety precautions must be taken as identified via a suitable risk

assessment conducted by the user in consultation with a suitably qualified and experienced Laser Safety

Officer.

The most significant hazard relating to exposure of personnel to the laser radiation is eye injury since

direct or scattered laser radiation produced by LIBSCAN 25+ can cause serious and permanent injury to

the eyes including blindness - such injury may be instantaneous. Precautions must be taken to avoid

exposure of personnel to hazardous levels of laser radiation. Such precautions may include the setting up

of a temporary or permanent laser controlled area (eg. a laser laboratory). Other measures may also be

necessary, as determined by appropriate and thorough assessment of the risks (ie. a risk assessment)

conducted by the personnel responsible for the safe use of the LIBSCAN 25+ instrument.

With the use of an optional adaptor, LIBSCAN 25+ may be used with any one of our range of modular

sample chambers (SC-1, SC-2, etc). The door of the sample chamber is equipped with a dual electrical

interlock switch which is designed to prevent activation of the laser unless the door is fully closed. The

interlock circuit is designed to “fail safe” so if it is not connected properly (e.g. the LIBSCAN 25+ is not

correctly attached to the modular sample chamber using the supplied adaptor), the interlock circuit is

designed to prevent activation of the laser. Removal of the sample chamber from the LIBSCAN 25+

head will also activate the interlock (i.e. prevent activation of the laser). The key-switch operated

Interlock Override (see section 3.2 of this User’s Manual) allows the safety interlock feature to be

disabled. It is necessary to use this override feature when operating the LIBSCAN 25+ without a sample

chamber (i.e. operating in “open beam” mode). In view of this, the LIBSCAN 25+ system must be

categorised as a Class 4 laser product since, by design, the product may be used in such a way that the

laser beam is not contained (i.e. “open beam” mode of operation).If, however, the sample chamber is

correctly fitted to the LIBSCAN 25+ head and the Interlock Override is switched off and the key

removed, then the laser radiation is adequately contained to Class 1 Accessible Emission Limits by the

design of the hardware. You should consult your Laser Safety Officer to ensure that this meets any local

rules and regulations concerning the operation and use of Class 4 laser systems within your organisation.

Class 4 laser interlock warning label

IMPORTANT

READ and UNDERSTAND this User’s Manual before operating the LIBS equipment.

ENSURE that an appropriate risk assessment has been conducted to establish whether or not the laser safety windows

fitted to the modular sample chambers provide adequate protection against exposure to laser radiation for the specific

laser you intend to use with the LIBS equipment. For advice on this matter, consult your Laser Safety Officer

and/or Applied Photonics Ltd.

ONLY suitably qualified and authorised persons should activate the Interlock Override keyswitch. The key should be

removed from the keyswitch and held by the Laser Safety Officer when this feature is not required.

ALWAYS use appropriate laser safety protective eyewear when operating the LIBS equipment in “open-beam”

configuration –you should seek advice from your Laser Safety Officer on this matter.

ALWAYS switch the laser off when not in use and remove the key from the keyswitch of the laser power supply to

prevent unauthorised activation.

ALWAYS thoroughly inspect the LIBS equipment for damage prior to use. Particular attention should be given to the

laser safety windows and the laser safety interlock system, which should be tested each time the equipment is used.

NEVER allow unauthorised and/or untrained persons operate the LIBS equipment.

NEVER operate the LIBS equipment in areas where explosive gas mixtures may be present.

NEVER operate the LIBS equipment with any access cover, panel, or protective window removed.

NEVER place inside the sample chamber flammable liquids or any other material which may give rise to flammable /

explosive gas mixtures. Activation of the laser under these conditions could result in an explosion leading to severe

personal injury and/or fire hazard. Remember that the laser-induced plasma is a source of ignition.

NEVER point the LIBS laser beam at a person (even with laser switched off), especially towards the eyes, even if the

person is wearing laser safety eyewear. The laser should be considered “active” unless the laser power supply is

deactivated and the safety shutter fitted to the LIBSCAN 25+ head is switched to the CLOSED position.

NOTE that the transparent acrylic nozzle aperture of the LIBSCAN 25+ head does not provide any protection to the

user against exposure to direct or scattered laser radiation. The function of the nozzle aperture is described later in

this User’s Manual.

CAD image of LIBSCAN 25+ head with laser safety shutter in the “closed” position.

Laser shutter / trigger guard

in “closed” position.

Orange warning light not

illuminated

Trigger guard in “closed” position preventing

access to the trigger switch. When the laser

shutter is closed, the trigger switch is

electrically isolated and so the laser will not fire

even if the trigger switch is activated. The laser

shutter provides a mechanical beam stop which

prevents emission of laser radiation under any

circumstances, including a fault condition.

Laser aperture

warning label

Laser aperture

CAD image of LIBSCAN 25+ head with laser safety shutter in the “open” position.

2.2 Note on the laser safety window material used in the modular sample chambers

The laser safety window material fitted to the modular sample chambers is rated as follows:

Laser

Wavelength

(nm)

USA Standard

ANSI Z 136.1 –2014

UK & European Standard

BS EN 207:2017

Optical

Density

Protection Level R

(Q-switched laser)

1064

OD 6

355

OD 5

266

OD 3

R L6 at 1064 nm indicates a protection level of maximum spectral transmittance of 10-6 at 1064 nm for a

pulsed laser of pulse length 10-9 –10-7 seconds (ie. a Q-switched laser).

The laser safety windows used in Applied Photonics Ltd’s range of modular sample chambers provide

adequate protection against scattered laser light of wavelength 1064 nm, 355 nm and 266 nm such that

Class 1 Accessible Emission Limits are met if the sample chamber is used correctly and laser pulse

energies are not excessively high (ie. typically less than 300 mJ with a 5 - 10 ns pulse length). Note that

the protective windows are NOT suitable for use with a 532 nm laser. Given that the modular sample

chambers may be used with a variety of APL’s LIBS products, it is the responsibility of the user to

conduct a risk assessment to establish whether or not the laser safety windows provide adequate

protection for the particular laser being used. If in any doubt, you should consult your Laser Safety

Officer and/or Applied Photonics Ltd for advice on this matter.

Warning –the Applied Photonics Ltd modular sample chambers are designed specifically for use

with our LIBSCAN (and our LIBS-6 / LIBS-8 integrated LIBS modules) range of products and

should not be used with any other laser device or product. If in doubt, seek advice from the

manufacturer, Applied Photonics Ltd.

Laser shutter / trigger guard in “open”

position. Orange warning light now

illuminated (assuming laser is active)

Trigger guard in the

“open” position allowing

access to the trigger switch

2.3 Electrical

The majority of internal electrical components within the LIBSCAN 25+ instrument operate at a nominal

voltage of 12 VDC at a maximum current of approximately 3.0 Amp. The integrated laser and associated

power supply operate at voltages of up to 1000 VDC. Accordingly, there exists an electric shock risk

should the equipment be dismantled. There are no user serviceable components within the LIBSCAN

25+ instrument and so the equipment should not be dismantled (doing so will void the warranty and

expose the user to an electrical and/or laser radiation hazard). For servicing and repairs, the equipment

should be returned to the manufacturer or an authorised agent.

3 General description

3.1 Overview

The main components of LIBSCAN 25+ are illustrated in the following figure.

CAD image illustrating the main components of the LIBSCAN 25+ instrument

The instrument console contains the optical spectrometers (up to six spectrometers may be installed), the

laser power supply, the Li-Ion battery, and various electrical / electronic components. The LIBSCAN

25+ head contains the laser, the laser beam expander optics, the plasma light collection optics, a miniature

colour video camera (optional item) and various other components associated with the safe operation of

the equipment. The LIBSCAN 25+ head is permanently connected to the instrument console via a

flexible umbilical of length ~1.6 metres. The umbilical contains the optical fibres used to transmit the

plasma light to the spectrometers, and the electrical cabling for the laser and other electrical components

within the head. The control panel provides the various switches and electrical connections associated

with the operation of the instrument.

Instrument

console

LIBSCAN 25+

head

Control panel

Flexible

umbilical

Li-Ion battery

charge status

indicator

3.2 LIBSCAN 25+ instrument console

Main “Power On” switch –

central indicator light flashes

when unit is connected to

mains charger

Laser key

switch (key

not shown)

“INTLK IN” BNC for

connection to laboratory door

interlock device. Blanking cap

(shown fitted) used if this

feature is not required

Spectrometer / laser

trigger sync

(BNC connector)

Laser flashlamp

voltage adjust

Inert gas inlet port

(requires 4 mm OD

plastic tubing) for gas-

purge of sample

“INTLK OUT” BNC

connection –provides 12

VDC output when laser is

active

Laser Interlock Override

keyswitch (for operation

as a Class 4 laser product)

USB 2.0

connection

DC power input from

plug-in Li-Ion battery

charger

Trigger input BNC to

remotely fire the laser

(requires > 0.1 millisecond

pulse of 9 –12 VDC,

centre pin +ve)

Power On

indicator lamp

Main Fuse

Fuse panel

cover

Laser On

indicator

lamp

Battery fuse 1

(3A anti-surge)

Battery fuse 2

3A anti-surge

Laser pulse counter

3.3 LIBSCAN 25+ head

The LIBSCAN head contains the laser and associated optics required to focus the laser beam on to a

sample and collect the plasma light for transmission to the spectrometers located within the spectrometer

console. The head is also designed to accommodate a miniature CCD camera and associated components

used with the optional imaging kit. The main features of the LIBSCAN head fitted with the optional

imaging kit are illustrated in the following figures. Use of the transparent aperture nozzle allows the

operator to view the laser plasma even when a sample is placed up against the aperture.

WARNING: Note that the transparent aperture nozzle does NOT provide any protection to the

user against exposure to the laser radiation.

It is not necessary to have an aperture nozzle fitted to the LIBSCAN head although it is beneficial to do

so as it provides the following functions: i) facilitates correct positioning of the sample being analysed, ii)

helps to direct the purge gas (if used) to the region in space where the laser plasma will be formed, and

iii) provides protection for the optics etc against accidental mechanical damage.

LIBSCAN 25+ head with aperture nozzle removed LIBSCAN 25+ head with transparent aperture nozzle fitted

Front view of LIBSCAN 25+ head showing six-channel plasma light collection lens array,

CCD camera, LED lights, laser aperture and gas purge outlet

Grub screw for locking

transparent aperture nozzle

(do not over-tighten)

Circular array of six

lens holders –used to

collect plasma light.

The purple lens holder

is for collection of

deep UV. The blue

lens holders are for

collection of UV-VIS

while the red lens

holders are for

collection of VIS-NIR

Laser beam

expander and

output aperture

Transparent

aperture nozzle

Miniature CCD

camera

(optional feature)

Two high-

brightness white

LED lights

(optional feature)

Gas purge

outlet

Electrical connection

to modular sample

chamber

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