For quantitative multi-elemental analysis by Optical Emission Spectroscopy
on Laser Produced Plasma (OES-LPP), the plasma composition must be represen
tative of the sample composition. In order to verify the stoichiometric beh
aviour of ablation process, the vaporisation-atomisation rates of different
elements in the sample were studied. Elements are chosen for comparison pu
rposes in term of melting point and atomic masses. Stoichiometric ablation
process is verified for samples with minor elements (% of Cu, Zn, and Mg) i
n Aluminium at two laser fluences (37 and 12 J/cm(2)). In binary samples (b
rass). a behaviour for copper that is hard to understand is observed and st
oichiometry can not be verified. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.