Using laser-generated air spark to suppress the self-reversal effect of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for quantitative in-situ analysis of high-concentration Al in Ti-Al alloys

•A simple methods utilizing a laser-generated air spark to improve the performance of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for quantitative in-situ analysis of high-concentration Al in Ti-Al was demonstrated.•By positioning the tail of the air spark between the sample surface and the outer part of the target plasma, completely free self-reversal Al I 394.40 nm and Al I 396.15 nm emission lines are obtained both for time-resolved and time-integrated measurements.•We successfully obtained a linear calibration curve for high-concentration al in Ti-Al alloy, even using the time-integrated spectrums, which is essentially needed for quantitative in-situ analysis.