LIBS Instrumental Techniques

The laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a laser based technique widely used in scientific and industrial applications for the elemental analysis of materials. Because of its very attractive features like e.g. the lack of sample preparation, the ability to perform multi-element real-time analysis and the possibility of in situ analysis, this technique has become very popular during last years. As a consequence a large number of LIBS systems with different experimental configuration have so far been developed. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a description of the basic components of a LIBS system and how their technical specifications as well as their design/configuration may affect LIBS measurements.