Qualitative evaluation of Pb and Cu in fish using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with multipulse excitation by ultracompact laser source.

We show a new laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) setup based on a small, ultracompact, and low-cost excitation source developed by the authors. The laser is a compact Nd:YAG laser emitting in the multipulse Q-switch regime and is capable of delivering a bunch of pulses with a total energy up to 300 mJ. The developed system is applied to the analysis of Pb and Cu contaminants on fish. LIBS spectra were obtained from scales, muscle, and skin of fresh and frozen samples. The developed excitation source is able to detect 0.25 mg/Kg and 0.20 mg/Kg of Pb and Cu, respectively. In this way, the equipment seems to be adequate to achieve a screening analysis of those contaminants.