Scope for Future Development in Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Abstract

The applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) have been widely expanding from the utilization on Earth to outer space, and the expected LIBS performance has created a lot of expectations for the coming digital transformation age. There are several conventional methods to compete with LIBS as an elemental analysis method. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and X-ray fluorescence analysis are typical methods that have been applied to similar fields as LIBS applications. The hybrid technology of LIBS and other methods has been one of the prospective solutions for the future development of LIBS. Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy can be combined with LIBS to simultaneously analyze the molecular information. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be a good partner with LIBS. OCT is an interferometric technology that detects a backscattered light from an object using low interference laser light.