Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Research Facility 

Facility Description

For the past 15 years, Los Alamos has conducted research and development on the elemental analysis technique of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The LIBS technique has many advantages compared to conventional analysis methods that make it particularly suited for field-based measurements under harsh conditions.

The LIBS Research User Facility is devoted to collaborative research in laser spark spectroscopy, laser ablation, and the development of techniques for application to real-world elemental analysis problems. The facility consists of three separate laboratories in which individual laser experiments can be carried out using a variety of LIBS data acquisition systems. The facility provides complete support for LIBS experiments from sample preparation to data acquisition to data analysis. Particular experimental configurations can be readily breadboarded to evaluate unique analysis scenarios. Liquid, gas, and solid samples can be handled including toxic materials. The facility also houses fabrication facilities for small machined parts and electronics systems assembly.

Basic research activities include

• Developing methods to increase the analytical capabilities of LIBS and laser ablation.
• Developing new and novel methods to analyze materials using the laser spark.
• Testing and evaluating the techniques for analysis of specific materials.

Activities devoted to development of LIBS for specific applications include

• Evaluating experimental configurations and components to be incorporated into instrumentation.
• Designing and constructing prototype instruments for specific applications.
• Testing and evaluating prototype instrumentation in the laboratory.
• Testing and evaluating prototype instrumentation in the field.

Equipment

Sample preparation

• Filtered exhaust hoods
• Chemical laboratory for mixing samples and cleaning specimens
• Drying oven
• Sample presses
• Polishing and cutting machines

Experimentation facilities

• Gated-intensified photodiode arrays and CCD detectors
• Spectrographs from 0.125 to 1.25-meter focal length
• Single-frame, spectrally resolved, high-temporal-resolution imaging capabilities
• Particle sizing instrumentation

Data analysis

• PC- and Macintosh-based data acquisition and analysis software
• IP-Lab imaging software
• GRAMS
• AEC MCCS

Facility Access

The LIBS Research User Facility provides OPEN access to users.

Last update: 11 July 2005

Technical Contact
Sam Clegg
C-ADI
MS J565
Phone 664-0403
Fax 665-4631
E-mail Address: sclegg@lanl.gov