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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful analytical technique used for rapid, precise elemental analysis. It operates by directing a highly focused, short laser pulse onto the surface of a sample, which instantly vaporizes a minute amount of material and generates a micro-plasma. As this plasma cools, it emits light at characteristic wavelengths that correspond to the specific elements present in the sample. By analyzing these emission spectra, LIBS can identify and quantify elemental composition with high sensitivity and spatial resolution.
One of the key advantages of LIBS is its minimal requirement for sample preparation, enabling direct analysis of solids, liquids, and gases in their native state. Additionally, LIBS provides near real-time results and can perform depth profiling through successive laser pulses, revealing compositional changes beneath the surface. The technique’s ability to deliver rapid, multi-elemental data with minimal interference makes it superior to many traditional elemental analysis methods. Moreover, LIBS instrumentation can be miniaturized and adapted for portable or even handheld configurations, allowing for versatile deployment in various measurement environments.
Why Choose LIBS Analysis
LIBS provides rapid results, usually within seconds for a single spot analysis, with minimal sample preparation or special training required, and versatile sampling protocols include fast raster of a sample’s surface as well as depth profiling. And analysis of thin samples can be performed without substrate interference.
Another advantage of LIBS measurements is the broad elemental coverage, including lighter elements like Helium, Hydrogen, Lithium, and Beryllium, as well as more common targets like Carbon, Nitrogen, Sodium, Oxygen, and Magnesium. These lighter elements typically have a low detection limit, in the low-PPM range, but the outstanding sensitivity of the Avantes line up erases this concern.
Avantes LIBS spectrometers feature customizable timing and triggering options, configurable wavelength ranges, and fast integration times.
Whether you’re performing real-time elemental analysis in the lab or in the field, Avantes LIBS spectrometers offer the flexibility, speed, and sensitivity you need to get the job done. Ready to enhance your materials analysis capabilities? Contact us today to configure a LIBS solution tailored to your application.
Industries that Rely on LIBS Technology
LIBS is a highly versatile analytical technique applicable to a broad range of sample matrices, including metals, semiconductors, glasses, biological tissues, insulators, plastics, soils, thin-film coatings, and electronic materials. Its ability to perform real-time, in-situ elemental analysis makes it especially valuable in environments where speed and minimal sample preparation are critical. You’ll find LIBS in action across a variety of industries—from metallurgy and mining to geology, semiconductors, and even nuclear facilities. Whether used for quality control, material identification, or process monitoring, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy provides a fast, non-contact solution for analyzing complex materials across both industrial and research settings.
