Contact:

  • Rick Russo
  • (510) 486-4258

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometry

LIBS uses a high-energy laser pulse to excite an unknown material into emitting a spectroscopic signature that can be used to identify its components. Focusing a laser pulse on the surface of a material leads to the ablation of a small amount of said material (in the nanogram range). As this material expands, forms a plasma, and cools, it emits a spectrum whose signature reveals the material's chemical nature. The technology is useful for rapid, real-time, remote identification of materials. It has applications in environmental monitoring and homeland security.

Research in AETD has the goal of understanding the basic science behind LIBS, and developing devices useful for field application.

Schematic of a pulsed laser hitting a target, releasing atoms, ions, molecules, clusters and particles.
Yuma Proving Grounds December 2004: an SUV sitting in the middle of the desert.
A chart illustration the amount of TNT detected on a vehicle surface at a distance of 30 meters.