Improving the Signal Strength
and Detection Limits of Laser-Induced
Breakdown Spectroscopy
Rituparna Das, K. M. Muhammed Shameem, Vinitha Nimma,
Swetapuspa Soumyashree, Prashant Kumar, and Rajesh K. Kushawaha
Abstract Over the past two decades, there are multiple techniques introduced for
enhancing the LIBS signal strength in order to improve the sensitivity and precision of the LIBS measurements. The purpose of this book chapter is to provide an
overview of the basic components of the LIBS system and the different experimental
strategies employed for enhancing the LIBS signal strength with a special emphasis
on Nanoparticle Enhanced Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (NELIBS). The
NELIBS is a relatively new technique for enhancing the LIBS signal intensity and
improving its sensitivity and detection limit. The considerable signal enhancement
with minimal sample preparation has increased the popularity of this technique in
analytical chemistry. Our recent observations on LIBS signal enhancement using
colloidal silver nanoparticles (10 nm) on brass sample have been described here.
A Q-switched Nd: YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse
duration = 7 ns with 90 mJ/pulse energy, was used as a common irradiation source
for both LIBS and NELIBS measurements. Both spectra were recorded in a similar
experimental condition and then compared to estimate the signal enhancements. A
clear enhancement of spectral intensities up to 4-times has been observed in the case
of NELIBS compared to conventional LIBS. The temporal evolution of the NELIBS
plasma has also been investigated, and the results are presented here.
1 Introduction
Nowadays, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has become a more
widespread technique in the modern analytical chemistry for elemental analysis due
to its unique features such as fast and straightforward analysis, simple experimental
R. Das · K. M. Muhammed Shameem · V. Nimma · S. Soumyashree · P. Kumar ·
R. K. Kushawaha (B)
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India
e-mail: kushawaha@prl.res.in
K. M. Muhammed Shameem
e-mail: shameemkm111@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. K. Singh et al. (eds.), Modern Techniques of Spectroscopy, Progress in Optical Science
and Photonics 13, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6084-6_12
307
and Detection Limits of Laser-Induced
Breakdown Spectroscopy
Rituparna Das, K. M. Muhammed Shameem, Vinitha Nimma,
Swetapuspa Soumyashree, Prashant Kumar, and Rajesh K. Kushawaha
Abstract Over the past two decades, there are multiple techniques introduced for
enhancing the LIBS signal strength in order to improve the sensitivity and precision of the LIBS measurements. The purpose of this book chapter is to provide an
overview of the basic components of the LIBS system and the different experimental
strategies employed for enhancing the LIBS signal strength with a special emphasis
on Nanoparticle Enhanced Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (NELIBS). The
NELIBS is a relatively new technique for enhancing the LIBS signal intensity and
improving its sensitivity and detection limit. The considerable signal enhancement
with minimal sample preparation has increased the popularity of this technique in
analytical chemistry. Our recent observations on LIBS signal enhancement using
colloidal silver nanoparticles (10 nm) on brass sample have been described here.
A Q-switched Nd: YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse
duration = 7 ns with 90 mJ/pulse energy, was used as a common irradiation source
for both LIBS and NELIBS measurements. Both spectra were recorded in a similar
experimental condition and then compared to estimate the signal enhancements. A
clear enhancement of spectral intensities up to 4-times has been observed in the case
of NELIBS compared to conventional LIBS. The temporal evolution of the NELIBS
plasma has also been investigated, and the results are presented here.
1 Introduction
Nowadays, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has become a more
widespread technique in the modern analytical chemistry for elemental analysis due
to its unique features such as fast and straightforward analysis, simple experimental
R. Das · K. M. Muhammed Shameem · V. Nimma · S. Soumyashree · P. Kumar ·
R. K. Kushawaha (B)
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India
e-mail: kushawaha@prl.res.in
K. M. Muhammed Shameem
e-mail: shameemkm111@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. K. Singh et al. (eds.), Modern Techniques of Spectroscopy, Progress in Optical Science
and Photonics 13, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6084-6_12
307