Combined raman/laser-induced breakdown spectrometer: space and non-space applications

TNO has developed the combination of two spectroscopic analysis methods in one instrument. Raman spectroscopy and Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) were brought together for an instrument to be flown on the ExoMars mission from the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate the Martian (sub-)surface by in-situ measurements. The combined Raman/LIBS instrument was designed, built, tested and successfully delivered to ESA within a three years timeframe using many hardware commonalities between the different techniques. Although the individual analytical methods are commonly used, combining the techniques is not widely spread. In this paper we describe the potential applications of combined Raman and LIBS for defence and security and other markets.