Short pulse laser radiation of the LIBSorter 300 is focused on the surface of scattered scrap metal pieces transported on a conveyor belt and generates a light emitting plasma at high temperatures. The chemical elements contained in the material provide a characteristic emission line spectrum similar to a fingerprint, which is simultaneously detected with a single measurement by the applied high-resolution ARYELLE echelle spectrometer. Multi-elemental analysis is based on the implemented spectral data base and mathematical software algorithms that feature a precise classification of a wide range of customized metal fractions.

Equipped with efficient technical solutions for industrial applications, the LIBSorter 300 provides an industrial PC featuring script-based remote control and remote maintenance for a fully automated 24/7 operational mode. PLC, PROFINET and Ethernet are the major interfaces for a proper communication with existing industrial devices. The LIBSorter 300 is a low-maintenance analyzer that was developed especially for online analysis of materials being transported on industrial conveyor belts. The fixed optical setup with ± 15 mm depth of field, auto focus optional, provides accurate analysis of different piece sizes. For operation under harsh environmental conditions in industrial buildings, the IP 53 control cabinet is dust-tight and air-conditioned.

Various CCD and ICCD cameras are suitable for the designed detection area of 27 x 27 mm². The light coupling into the ARYELLE Butterfly spectrometer is realized via SMA fiber for the UV-VIS-NIR range or via pure reflection transfer optics for the VUV range. Automatic recalibration of the wavelength scale is provided by a mercury lamp and an internal shutter.

The supplied operating software Sophi with optional LabVIEW library allows fully control of all spectrometer-detector functions via graphic user interface and provides automated measurement routines with an integrated scripting language. All lines of the gained spectrum are automatically analyzed with the integrated atomic spectra data base and qualitatively assigned to the corresponding elements. Quantitative analysis is based on calibration with reference materials.

The supplied operating software Sophi with optional LabVIEW library allows fully control of all spectrometer-detector functions via graphic user interface and provides automated measurement routines with an integrated scripting language. All lines of the gained spectrum are automatically analyzed with the integrated atomic spectra data base and qualitatively assigned to the corresponding elements. Quantitative analysis is based on calibration with reference materials.

The ARYELLE 200 is a high-resolution, optical fiber coupled ARraY echELLE spectrometer that is characterized by its high sensitivity and high imaging quality. It features an aperture of f/10 and a focal length of 200 mm. The dispersion unit with echelle grating, prism, imaging optics and entrance slit can individually be adapted to different customer applications. Depending on the required simultaneously detectable wavelength range, the ARYELLE 200 provides the measurement of two-dimensional echelle spectra from the UV up to the NIR range with a spectral resolving power of 7,000 up to 15,000 (at 40 µm slit width). Various CMOS, CCD, EMCCD and ICCD cameras are suitable for the designed detection area of 13 x 13 mm². Automatic recalibration of the wavelength scale is provided by a mercury lamp and an internal shutter.

The supplied operating software Sophi with optional LabVIEW library allows fully control of all spectrometer-detector functions via graphic user interface and provides automated measurement routines with an integrated scripting language. All lines of the gained spectrum are automatically analyzed with the integrated atomic spectra data base and qualitatively assigned to the corresponding elements. Quantitative analysis is based on calibration with reference materials.

Sample chamber module: the LIBSpector is a versatile and compact sample chamber for the spatially resolved LIBS analysis of solid, liquid and gaseous materials. It features online video monitoring and a motorized XYZ stage for sample mapping which is controlled by the supplied joystick. The sealed laser class 1 housing with laser protection window for observation, door interlock and exhaust flange provide a safe use. No additional laser safety precautions are therefore required at installation site. The optimized optical setup of the chamber model µ-LIBSpector for µ-LIBSlab provides a highly reduced laser spot size on the sample surface.

Spectrometer module: choose a compact and high-resolution echelle spectrometer from the ARYELLE or DEMON series that feature high spectral sensitivities und excellent imaging qualities. In combination with different CCD, EMCCD, ICCD or CMOS detectors the optical fiber coupled spectrometer provides a wide range of customer applications especially for the simultaneous detection of the LIBS emission spectrum from the UV to the NIR range.

Laser module: for LIBS plasma generation, various Nd:YAG and excimer lasers with different wavelengths and pulse energies. Depending on the size, the laser head can be integrated in the laser class 1 housing of the LIBSpector.

PC and software: the operating and analysis software Sophi provides access to all device functions of the spectrometer-detector unit, the LIBSpector and laser via laptop or PC-based user interface. The implemented Pascal script-based control allows the automzation of recurring LIBS measuring and evaluation procedures.

By using an automated CMOS-based 6 Mpixel camera and a choice of two microscopic objectives, the CORALIS delivers a highly resolved overview or detailed close-up image. An integrated imaging analysis algorithm supports automatic particle recognition as well as the analysis of particle size, size distribution and particle counting. The imaging mode is also used to define the regions of interest for the following molecular and elemental analysis.

The further analysis of the sample or particle can be done with RAMAN or LIBS or both techniques sequentially. CORALIS contains two different RAMAN lasers @ 532nm and 785nm. The molecular information carried by the RAMAN signal is collected by a high efficient mirror optic and guided via free-beam optics to the Aryelle spectrometer. Further improvements of the high-resolution RAMAN signal can be done by the background correction integrated in the user-friendly FusionRL software package. Analysis of RAMAN spectra can either be done in the FusionRL itself or by simple export to the well-known and established KnowItAll^® spectroscopy software from Wiley.

Complementary to the molecular analysis done by RAMAN, the CORALIS provides a detailed elemental analysis realized by high-resolution LIBS. The second optical path is optimized for the short-pulse plasma analysis. The excellent spectral resolution together with the broad wavelength range down to the deep UV range allows to get detailed fingerprint sufficient for classification as well as quantification.