Remote femtosecond laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in a standoff detection regime

Abstract

The need for robust, versatile, and rapid analysis standoff detection systems has emerged in response to the increasing threat to homeland security. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged as a novel technique that not only resolves issues of versatility, and rapid analysis, but also allows detection in settings not currently possible with existing methods. Several studies have shown that femtosecond lasers may have advantages over nanosecond lasers for LIBS analysis in terms of SNR. Furthermore, since femtosecond pulses can travel through the atmosphere as a selfpropagating transient waveguide, they may have advantages over conventional stand-off LIBS approaches 1 . Utilizing single and multiple femtosecond pulse laser regimes, we investigate the potential of femtosecond LIBS as a standoff detection technology. We examine the character of UV and visible LIBS from various targets of defense and homeland security interest created by channeled femtosecond laser beams over distances of 30 m or more. This work is supported by contracts from JNLWD, NTIC, and ARO from the DoD, and the State of Florida.