ApNotes and User Guides

Handheld LIBS technology presents new opportunities for soil nutrient analysis, particularly for fast, in-situ, and cost-effective assessments. While its precision is slightly lower than laboratory methods, its high efficiency and portability make it highly valuable for field management.

The study demonstrates that detectORETM was able to achieve significantly lower detection for silver compared to direct pXRF analysis which is expected to lead to the ability to find, define, measure and mine precious metals faster.

SciAps XRF has high value at reasonable pricing. The speed and precision of the X-50 allows users to take advantage of time sensitive sorting. The advancements SciAps has made and continues to make in handheld XRF technology bring the most precise and quickest results to the scrap sorting market.

SciAps X-505/X-550 handheld portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer with its lower detection limits and fast analysis time is an ideal tool to accurately measure the trace levels of specific elements such as chromium, molybdenum, copper, etc. that may be significant corrosion indicators.

The ability to accurately determine the lead-content of surface and buried lead paint without destructive testing is vital to ensuring the safety of children and renovators.

SciAps has designed an economical, easy to use material ID LIBS that fits the needs of the market. The Z-70 utilizes many of the hardware advantages of SciAps high-end instruments in a rugged design. The outcome is a material ID LIBS that doesn’t sacrifice on performance.

Portable PPB via their patented detectORE™ product has introduced the world’s first in-field portable XRF (pXRF) Au analysis technology as an alternative to laboratory assay. In the past, portable XRF (pXRF) on its own could not reach the sub-ppm LOD’s required by industry.

The rising demand for lithium and the limited availability of this crucial element has led to new applications for SciAps Z-900 Series and SciAps XRF analyzers. These tools are being utilized throughout the lithium battery recycling and manufacturing processes, offering rapid testing options without the extended time required by larger laboratory equipment.

With the SciAps X-550/X-505 XRF, contractors can use the RoHS App for identifying lead in polymers for the plastic sheaths and the Alloy and Soil Apps for identifying metals in the surrounding soil.

This case study shows the power of the SciAps LIBS Z-200 and Z-300 (now Z-902 and Z-903) for research level applications. Through simple data collection of many samples, macro- and micronutrients are detected by the spectrometer and used for multivariate classification of Dalbergia. After minor preprocessing and unguided variable selection, highly accurate prediction models can be generated for potential field use.

The SciAps Z-900 Series offers unique capabilities that no other handheld instrument can offer. One key advantage of the SciAps Z-900 Series LIBS is the ability to perform Targeted Micro Analysis (TMA).

Handheld LIBS can be used to quickly and accurately analyze lithium and other elements in the field. SciAps Z-901 Lithium is a lighter weight, dedicated lithium-only analyzer, while Z-903 provides great lithium performance with a wider spectral range and the added capability of seeing any element on the periodic table allowing geoscientists to deduce many important mineralogical associations.

SciAps Inc continues to lead the way in field portable analytical devices for the analysis of geomaterials with the new X-555 X-Ray fluorescence (pXRF) and Z903 laser-induced break down spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzers adding new capabilities related to the in-field analysis to identify, measure and characterize critical elements in geologic materials.

More recycling facilities are identifying platinum, palladium, and rhodium in catalytic converters. These platinum group metals are highly valuable. But accurate identification is essential. SciAps X-50 is a unique, lower-priced model featuring an X-ray tube that can run up to 50kV. See why it’s a perfect fit for PGM analysis.

LIBS technology has migrated from a time-consuming laboratory analysis method to a mainstream field analytical technique in recent years. Handheld LIBS first found commercial success in alloy analysis industries. It’s now applied to electric vehicles, strategic metals, and environmental clean-up.

SciAps Z-9 Liquidator with the Z-903 handheld LIBS analyzer can quickly and accurately analyze lithium and other elements in liquid brine samples across a wide range of concentrations. The cutting-edge analyzer's wide spectral range and custom calibration capabilities allow it to detect any element on the periodic table.

Areas evaluated were in or near athletic fields, trails, playgrounds, entrances, and adjacent to roads. Measurements were performed with SciAps XRF following EPA Method 6200 protocols.

The past couple of years have marked a new era for handheld XRF, with next-generation improvements in speed, accuracy, and instrumentation, including the world’s first 55 kV X-ray tube.

Deploying a comprehensive material verification program includes testing weld wire, round bar, small bore pipe and bolting. All SciAps LIBS analyzers are designed to optimize access to such parts, providing a comprehensive, on-site solution for carbon analysis in QA/QC programs.

Identification of Gold and Its Mineralogical Associations using SciAps Handheld LIBS

Field-portable handheld LIBS analyzers have expanded potential applications for in situ elemental analysis. They allow for rapid screening and quantification of any element in almost any matrix type.

Iron-on fluoro-powders and fluorinated paraffins for skis offer unmatched glide properties and repel dirt exceptionally well. But they are being banned due to environmental and health impacts. SciAps LIBS offers instant detection to reinforce compliance in a competition environment.

Paul Lawrence of PMI Concepts has been performing PMI work, and training and certifying inspectors, for over 10 years. He’s an expert at all aspects of PMI including XRF, spark OES, and now LIBS technologies. Here, he offers some key tips to improve your performance and get the most out of your instrument.

Ten years ago, basic sorting was the only option with handheld analyzers. Today, with the advent of high-performance X-ray detectors and laser-based units, fine sorting aluminum alloys in a few seconds is a reality. SciAps XRF units measure Mg and Si up to 10x faster than other guns so that operators can do fine sorting within a few seconds, rather than 30+ seconds, increasing accuracy and throughput.

SciAps handheld XRF offers demonstrated performance on critical gold pathfinders Cu, As, Ag, Sb, accelerating discovery and improving efficiency in the extraction and processing of gold.

Rapid Measurement of Total Organic Carbon in Soil Using SciAps Z-300 Handheld LIBS

The SciAps Z has demonstrated the ability to measure carbon equivalents, as well as carbon content in low alloy and carbon steels. The Z-902 Carbon is the world’s only handheld analyzers capable of measuring carbon content.

Presented here is a method to analyze carbon content in carbon and stainless steels, utilizing the technique of handheld laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (HH LIBS). The method specifies the SciAps Z-902 Carbon, the world’s only handheld analyzer capable of analyzing carbon content in alloys.