In the nuclear energy sector, especially emerging technologies like molten salt reactors, precise elemental analysis is vital for safety, efficiency, and material monitoring. Avantes’ Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems provide fast, accurate, and non-contact analysis of complex materials—even in challenging environments like molten salts. Our LIBS solutions enable real-time monitoring of nuclear fuels, corrosion products, and impurities to support operational stability and regulatory compliance. Trust Avantes to deliver cutting-edge spectroscopy tailored for the evolving demands of nuclear energy innovation.
A leading research group in advanced materials sought a faster, non-destructive method to quantify lithium in cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Traditional techniques were time-consuming and required extensive sample preparation, limiting their utility in fast-paced R&D and manufacturing environments.
To address this, the team implemented a dual-channel LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) system featuring Avantes spectrometers, chosen for their high sensitivity, speed, and wide spectral coverage. The setup enabled simultaneous detection of lithium and key matrix elements—an essential capability given the weak emission lines of lithium in complex materials.
With integration times as short as a few microseconds and excellent signal-to-noise performance, Avantes’ instruments allowed the researchers to capture transient plasma emissions with precision. Using multivariate calibration models, they achieved accurate and repeatable quantification of lithium across various cathode compositions.
Faster analysis with minimal sample prep
Accurate lithium quantification using dual-channel detection
Improved efficiency for real-time quality control
Non-destructive testing for battery materials development
Thanks to the speed and reliability of Avantes’ LIBS-compatible spectrometers, the team successfully demonstrated LIBS as a high-throughput alternative to traditional chemical analysis—advancing efforts toward more efficient, scalable battery production.
Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) represent the forefront of nuclear energy innovation, offering enhanced safety and sustainability. However, their unique design—using liquid fuel dissolved in high-temperature molten salts—creates challenging conditions for monitoring reactor chemistry and off-gas emissions.
At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, researchers partnered with Avantes to develop a cutting-edge LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) system that meets these demands. Leveraging Avantes multichannel spectrometers, the system achieves fast, simultaneous detection of key elements such as sodium, potassium, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, even under extreme temperatures and corrosive conditions.
Avantes’ fiber-coupled, compact spectrometers enable real-time, high-speed spectral acquisition, capturing detailed elemental signatures at 20 Hz. Crucially, the system also discriminates hydrogen isotopes—protium and deuterium—providing valuable insight into salt–gas interactions for improved reactor safety.
This modular LIBS platform showcases how Avantes technology empowers nuclear energy researchers to perform non-contact, real-time elemental and isotopic analysis of MSR off-gas streams, pushing the boundaries of reactor diagnostics and operational efficiency.
My Cart 