The researchers used laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to quantitatively detect raw turquoise ore

Researchers have successfully applied laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to quantitatively detect raw turquoise, a key component of Tibetan medicine.

According to a recent study in Applied Spectroscopy, detecting turquoise raw ore using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) can have a significant impact on assessing its quality. In the study, the research team from the Central South University for Nationalities and the China Tibetology Research Center created a new model based on the strength of four characteristic aluminum and copper spectral lines found in samples with different turquoise content. This model is used to predict turquoise content in test samples.

The study is important because turquoise is a major ingredient in some Tibetan medicines and therefore has implications for human health. The research team sought to improve traditional data analysis methods for assessing turquoise content. The problem of traditional method is that there is matrix effect, which can not meet the actual requirements of modern Tibetan medicine factory. By introducing a correlation coefficient (ρ) into pattern recognition techniques as an evaluation indicator, the researchers were able to overcome this problem.

The team used models based on aluminum and copper lines to estimate the amount of turquoise in the samples tested. LIBS analysis was performed on 126 raw ore samples from 42 different regions in China and turquoise content was assessed using self-developed software with an error rate of less than 10%.

Although the test methods and processes used in this study are valid for qualitative analysis of turquoise, the results show that the method proposed in this paper can be used to assess the composition of other minerals, indicating that the method has wider applicability. Therefore, the successful application of LIBS technology in quantitative turquoise detection is a major advance in the field of medical and mineral analysis. The use of LIBS technology can accurately assess the turquoise content of raw ore samples, which is very important for the production of Tibetan medicine.

While further research and development is needed to expand the application of LIBS technology, this study marks a critical step in the modernization and advancement of Tibetan medicine. The researchers expect that their findings will not only benefit the Tibetan medicine industry, but also inspire new applications and innovations in the field of mineral composition analysis.

Source: Laser Network