In situ Analysis of Fireworks Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Abstract

Different types of fireworks are analyzed using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. The system employed for spectral acquisition consists of a Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, FWHM = 4 ns) and an Andor Mechelle ME 5000 echelle spectrometer. The presence of Ba, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, Sr, Si, and Al is identified in the LIBS spectra of different fireworks. These elements can mix easily into the surroundings and thus pollute the environment. In combination with LIBS, multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis, are employed for qualitative classification, regression, and prediction purposes. These methods show good applicability for the classification and prediction of a large data set.