Interactive three-dimensional chemical element maps with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and photogrammetry

Abstract

Imaging the spatial distribution of chemical elements at a sample surface is a common application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with vast scientific and technological applications. Yet, typical imaging solutions only explore the creation of two-dimensional maps, which can limit the interpretability of the results and further diagnostics in three-dimensional settings. Within this context, this work explores the combination of spectral imaging techniques and photogrammetry to deploy a versatile solution for the creation of three-dimensional spectral imaging models. First, by making use of a numerical algorithm that is able to match features in the spectral image with those of the three-dimensional model, we show how to match the mesh from distinct sensor modalities. Then, we describe a possible visualization workflow, making use of dedicated photogrammetry and visualization software to easily deploy interactive models. Overall, the results demonstrate the versatility of our approach and pave for the development of novel spectral imaging diagnostic strategies that are able to deliver better qualitative analysis and insight in the three-dimensional space.