Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an elemental analysis technique based on laser ablation and atomic emission spectroscopy. It is a micro-destructive detection method, and the detection process is divided into three steps: laser ablation, plasma cooling and emission, and spectral detection. Since its inception, it has been widely studied and applied due to its unique advantages, such as rapid real-time analysis, simultaneous detection of multiple elements, non-contact detection, wide applicability, high sensitivity and accuracy, and portability.

Currently, traditional LIBS applications often use YAG lasers, femtosecond/picosecond ultra-short pulse lasers, or carbon dioxide lasers, etc. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The development of erbium glass lasers provides some potential directions for LIBS applications.

 

Characteristics of erbium glass lasers:

Erbium glass lasers emit 1535nm mid-infrared light, which is a safe laser wavelength for the human eye. They are suitable for medium energy (mJ level) and low repetition rate (1-10 Hz) applications, and are suitable for LIBS detection that requires high single-pulse energy. However, their thermal conductivity is relatively low, making it difficult to support high continuous working power, but the requirements for pulses can be met through optimized heat dissipation.

Potential advantages:

(1) Enhanced detection of specific materials

Organic materials, plastics, hydrogen-containing compounds, etc. have stronger absorption at 1535nm. Using erbium glass lasers as the light source may increase the plasma excitation efficiency and enhance the signal strength.

Mid-infrared wavelengths may reduce the surface reflection of metals and other conductive materials, reduce the matrix effect, and improve the stability of analysis.

(2) Eye safety and portability

No strict protection is required, suitable for open environments (such as mining, environmental monitoring, etc. in field/industrial sites).

Erbium glass lasers have a compact structure and small size, suitable for the development of portable LIBS devices.

(3) Reduced sample damage

The ablation threshold for heat-sensitive samples (such as biological tissues, cultural relics) is lower, which may reduce damage and is suitable for cultural heritage or biomedical analysis.

Challenges and limitations:

(1) Plasma excitation efficiency: The wavelength of erbium glass lasers may be more difficult to ionize certain elements (especially high ionization energy elements) than ultraviolet/visible light, and experimental parameters (such as pulse width, focusing conditions) need to be optimized.

(2) Spectral interference: The excitation of erbium glass lasers may produce stronger continuous background radiation, which needs to be suppressed through delayed detection or spectral filtering.

Future research directions:

(1) Dual-beam LIBS system: Combining erbium glass lasers (pre-treatment/ablation) and Nd:YAG lasers (plasma excitation) to leverage their respective advantages.

(2) Development of new detectors: High-sensitivity detectors matching the mid-infrared band to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

(3) Material-specific applications: Special LIBS solutions for organic materials, water-containing samples, or specific industrial materials (such as polymers, coal).

Application scenarios outlook:

(1) Safety-sensitive fields: On-site detection in aerospace and other fields that require eye safety.

(2) Biological and environmental samples: Rapid analysis of samples containing water or organic components (such as soil heavy metals, plant nutrients).

(3) Miniaturized devices: Integrated into unmanned aerial vehicles or handheld devices for field exploration or emergency detection.

RealLight‘s 1535nm eye-safe lasers include small energy erbium glass lasers, high repetition rate erbium glass lasers, and high energy erbium glass lasers, etc., assisting in the selection of LIBS laser applications.

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