Method for measurement of transition probabilities by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy based on CSigma graphs. Application to Ca II spectral lines

Abstract

We propose a method for determination of transition probabilities by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy that avoids the error due to self-absorption. The method relies on CSigma graphs, a generalization of curves of growth which allows including several lines of various elements in the same ionization state. CSigma graphs are constructed including reference lines of an emitting species with well-known transition probabilities, together with the lines of interest, both in the same ionization state. The samples are fused glass disks prepared from small concentrations of compounds. When the method is applied, the concentration of the element of interest in the sample must be controlled to avoid the failure of the homogeneous plasma model. To test the method, the transition probabilities of 9 Ca II lines arising from the 4d, 5s, 5d and 6s configurations are measured using Fe II reference lines. The data for 5 of the studied lines, mainly from the 5d and 6s configurations, had not been measured previously.