Stand-off Femtosecond Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Metals, Soil, Plastics and Classification Studies

The femtosecond stand-off laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (fs ST-LIBS) experiment is optimized for 5m distance. The fs ST-LIBS spectra of metals, alloys, soil, organic samples are recorded. Most of the atomic peaks and molecular peaks like CN, C 2 , and Aluminum oxide are identified from the characteristic emission lines in the spectra. The signal to noise ratio is reduced compared to the near field case. The similarities existing in the spectral emission lines collected from different targets limits the technique for identification. We have used principal component analysis (PCA) which improves the identification and classification of the materials used as targets.