Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: Capabilities and Applications

Abstract

This work provides a review of the capabilities and applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL). By coupling advances in LIBS hardware and analysis software, ARL has expanded the capabilities of LIBS significantly. LIBS uses a focused, pulsed laser to ablate a target material, generating a transient microplasma which emits light characteristic of the sample composition. It is a real-time sensor technology which requires no sample preparation and provides universal materials detection for solids, liquids, and aerosols. Applications investigated at ARL in recent years include the standoff detection of explosive residues and other hazardous materials, plastic landmine discrimination, and material characterization of various metal alloys and polymers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA528756

Entities

People

  • Frank C. De Lucia Jr.
  • Jennifer L Gottfried

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Counter IED
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum Oxides
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Energetic Materials
  • Explosives
  • Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Metallic Nanoparticles
  • Nanoenergetics
  • Organic Compounds
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy