System and method for performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements on molten metal samples

A method of performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) on a molten sample during cooling of the molten sample, the method comprising:

• monitoring a temperature of the molten sample during cooling of the molten sample within a crucible, and comparing the temperature of the molten sample to measurement temperature criteria;
• and
• determining that the temperature of the molten sample satisfies the measurement temperature criteria and initiating a LIBS measurement on the molten sample,
• characterized by the further steps of, prior to introduction of the molten sample:
• measuring, one or more times, a temperature of the crucible, the crucible being in a preheated state and absent of the molten sample, and comparing the temperature of the crucible to crucible temperature criteria;
• and
• determining that the temperature of the crucible satisfies the crucible temperature criteria and providing an indication that the crucible is ready to receive the molten sample;
• wherein the crucible temperature criteria is configured such that the molten sample cools by fewer than 50° C. during the LIBS measurement.

A system for performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), the system comprising:

• a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) subsystem;
• a first crucible;
• a primary crucible support for supporting the first crucible holding the sample during measurement;
• a second crucible;
• a secondary crucible support capable of supporting and cooling the second crucible;
• and
• a mobile support structure configured to support said LIBS subsystem, said primary crucible support and said secondary crucible support,
• wherein said primary and secondary crucible supports and said first and second crucibles are configured so the first crucible can be replaced by said second crucible, for performing LIBS measurements on a molten sample residing in the second crucible in the primary crucible support and the first crucible can be placed in the secondary crucible support for cooling;
• a temperature sensor;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively coupled to said temperature sensor and said LIBS subsystem, said processing circuitry comprising at least one processor and associated memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processor for performing operations comprising:
• employing said temperature sensor to monitor a temperature of a molten sample during cooling of the molten sample within a crucible;
• and
• comparing the temperature of the molten sample to measurement temperature criteria, and determining that the molten sample satisfies the measurement temperature criteria and controlling said LIBS subsystem to initiate a LIBS measurement on the molten sample.

A portable system for performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), the portable system comprising:

• a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) subsystem comprising a measurement head, said LIBS subsystem being connectable to a battery;
• a first crucible;
• a primary crucible support, wherein said measurement head of said LIBS subsystem is movable from a parked position to an operative position in which said measurement head resides above said primary crucible support for performing LIBS measurements on a molten sample residing in said first crucible supported by said primary crucible support;
• a second crucible;
• a secondary crucible support capable of supporting and cooling said second crucible;
• and
• a mobile support structure configured to support said LIBS subsystem, said primary crucible support and said secondary crucible support,
• wherein said crucible supports and said first and second crucibles are configured so the first crucible can be replaced by said second crucible, for performing LIBS measurements on a molten sample residing in the second crucible in said primary crucible support, and the first crucible can be placed in the secondary crucible support for cooling,
• system further comprising:
• a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the crucible residing in said primary crucible support when said measurement head is in the parked position;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively coupled to said temperature sensor, said processing circuitry comprising at least one processor and associated memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processor for performing operations comprising:
• employing said temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the crucible supported by said primary crucible support;
• and
• after determining that the temperature of the crucible fails to satisfy crucible temperature criteria due to an excessively high temperature, providing an indication that the crucible should be cooled in said secondary crucible support prior to use.

A portable system for performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), the portable system comprising:

• a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) subsystem comprising a measurement head, said LIBS subsystem being connectable to a battery;
• an integrated calibration apparatus;
• and
• a mobile support structure configured to support said LIBS subsystem and said integrated calibration apparatus;
• said measurement head of said LIBS subsystem being movable, from an operative position in which said measurement head resides above a first crucible for performing LIBS measurements on a molten sample residing in the first crucible, to a calibration position suitable for performing calibrating measurements suitable for calibrating at least one parameter of said LIBS subsystem.