Review of the recent advances and applications of LIBS-based imaging

Abstract During recent years, important developments have been achieved in the application of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for elemental imaging. The aim of this review is to report recent instrumental configurations, data processing methodologies and applications related to LIBS-based imaging. In the first section, different instrumental alternatives of LIBS for qualitative or quantitative imaging measurements are presented, including the scanning configuration, focusing systems, laser properties, and spectral detection tools. The second section reviews the different LIBS imaging data processing methodologies that have been proposed. Finally, the last section of this review reports the wide variety of laboratory applications that have benefited from LIBS mapping techniques, such as those in the biomedical, geological and industrial fields.