Partial least squares regression for problem solving in precious metal analysis by laser induced breakdown spectrometry

The application of laser induced breakdown spectrometry for the quantitativ e determination of gold and silver in Au-Ag-Cu alloys is proposed. Laser in duced plasma emission spectra in the ultraviolet region were studied in ord er to characterize the spectral information from time-integrated data. The multivariate calibration method known as partial least squares regression t ype 1 was used for calibration and prediction purposes. Satisfactory result s were obtained for the determination of gold and silver without temporal r esolution strategies. Since the employment of this chemometric algorithm wa s a good alternative for simplification of the experimental setup, a rapid, simple and low cost method is thus proposed for the determination of noble metals in jewelry pieces.