Online multi-elemental analysis using laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) - research fields, industrial applications and future perspectives

Extended knowledge of the interaction mechanisms between pulsed laser radiation and matter as well as methodological and technological progress achieved over the last years have opened new R&D fields and industrial applications for laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS). This paper gives an overview of current LIBS R&D activities focused on industrial applications ranging from quality assurance and process control tasks in steel industry, via speciation analysis by combination of chromatographic separation techniques with LIBS to the fast identification of scrap pieces for material specific recycling in high-throughput sorting lines. The dual use of laser radiation as a contactless processing tool and an analyzing tool to determine the chemical composition of samples without the need of any mechanical or chemical preparation is a promising perspective for LIBS to simplify and to shorten existing process chains.