Statistical Evaluation of Background and Laser Energy Corrections of Spectral Line Signal in Laser Microprobe Analysis

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of background and laser energy corrections of spectral line signals on the precision of estimates of elemental concentration obtained by laser microprobe analysis. By stepwise multiple regression, it was found that corrections for background, or laser energy output in the 12 to 17 mJ range used, were not necessary in analysis of calcium, iron, or zinc.