Chapter 24 - Self-calibrated methods for LIBS quantitative analysis

Abstract

In this chapter we will discuss fundamental concepts and applications of self-calibrated methods for quantitative analysis by laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS). The hypotheses at the basis of the classical calibration-free (CF)-LIBS method (Ciucci et al., 1999) [8] will be critically revised and the evolution of the technique in the last two decades will be discussed, distinguishing between minor improvements or, in most cases, simple implementations of the technique and new approaches that are effectively different from the classical approach. In particular, among the alternative calibration-free methods discussed, particular attention will be given to the Monte Carlo LIBS method and the recently proposed extended C-sigma methods, which are particularly promising alternatives to standard CF-LIBS. At the end of the chapter, a very short review of the main applications of the CF-LIBS methods will be presented, with particular attention to applications where the availability of matrix-matched standards, needed for building uni- or multivariate calibration curves, are scarce (health, environment, space research, etc.).