Quantifying Impurities in Diatomite Using LIBS
Solar power continues to be a pivotal renewable energy source, with ongoing advancements focused on improving the efficiency of silicon solar cells. As concerns about the limited reserves of high quality silicon grow, researchers are exploring alternative sources.
Diatoms, a type of phytoplankton, offer a promising solution due to their silica frustules, which can be processed into high-purity silicon suitable for solar cell production. However, impurities in silicon can significantly reduce solar cell efficiency, necessitating effective purification methods and advanced analytical techniques to monitor and control the quality of extracted silicon.
A recent study described in the paper, “Quantification of impurities in diatomite via sensitivity-improved calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy,” employed Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze the elemental composition of diatomite. The sensitivity-improved, calibration-free LIBS approach enabled real-time analysis without extensive sample preparation. LIBS is a powerful tool for identifying and quantifying major, minor, and trace elements present in the samples.
The study, using the high resolution ARYELLE BUTTERFLY spectrometer from LTB Lasertechnik Berlin, demonstrated that LIBS can detect a wider range of elements than traditional methods, improving the analytical capabilities for quality control of diatomite. Overall, the research highlights the potential of diatomite as a sustainable source of silicon for solar energy applications, facilitated by advanced analytical techniques like LIBS.
About the ARYELLE BUTTERFLY Spectrograph
The high-performance, wide-range, ARYELLE BUTTERFLY double echelle spectrograph provides two separate spectral setups for the VUV and UV-VIS-NIS ranges, each with 400 mm focal length and one shared detector – maximum flexibility for precise elemental analysis with LIBS and Raman spectroscopy.
- Two separate spectral ranges: VUV and UV-VIS-NIR
- High spectral resolution (9,000–50,000 nm)
- Large simultaneous wavelength range
- Suitable with various detectors (CCD, ICCD)
- High light throughput
For more information or a quotation for LTB Lasertechnik Berlin products, contact IL Photonics.