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Analytical Analysis of Different Karats of Gold Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (LA-TOF-MS)

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Abstract

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with a laser ablation time of flight mass spectrometer (LA-TOF-MS) has been developed for discrimination/analysis of the precious gold alloys cartage. Five gold alloys of Karats 18K, 19K, 20K, 22K and 24K having certified composition of gold as 75, 79, 85, 93 and 99.99% were tested and their precise elemental compositions were determined using the laser produced plasma technique. The plasma was generated by focusing beam of a Nd:YAG laser on the target in air and its time integrated emission spectra were registered in the range 250–870 nm. The calibration free LIBS technique (CF-LIBS) was used for the quantitative determination of the constituent elements present in different Karats of gold. Elemental compositions of these gold alloys were also determined using a Laser Ablation time of flight mass spectrometer (LA-TOF-MS). The LIBS limit of detection was calculated from the calibration curves for copper, silver and gold. Results of CF-LIBS and LA-TOF-MS are in excellent agreement with the certified values. It is demonstrated that LIBS coupled with LA-TOF-MS is an efficient technique that can be used to analyze any precious alloys in a fraction of a second.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Pakistan Academy of Sciences for the financial assistance to acquire the Laser system and for the fabrication of the Laser ablation Time of Flight Spectrometer. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan gratefully acknowledged for the Indigenous Ph.D. Scholarship to Mr. Nasar Ahmed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Centre for Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Campus, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Nasar Ahmed, Rizwan Ahmed & M. Aslam Baig

  2. Department of Physics, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, 13100, Pakistan

    Nasar Ahmed

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  1. Nasar Ahmed
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  2. Rizwan Ahmed
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  3. M. Aslam Baig
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Correspondence to M. Aslam Baig.

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Ahmed, N., Ahmed, R. & Baig, M.A. Analytical Analysis of Different Karats of Gold Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (LA-TOF-MS). Plasma Chem Plasma Process 38, 207–222 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-017-9862-2

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