LIBS

In this extended Q&A interview, we sit down with Kelsey Williams, a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), who is working on planetary instrumentation using spectroscopic techniques such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS). In Part II of our conversation with Williams, she talks about the potential of mass spectrometry (MS) in space exploration applications.

In honor of National Space Day, we interviewed Kelsey Williams, who is a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) working on planetary instrumentation using spectroscopic techniques such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS). In Part I of our interview with Williams, she discusses how her background led her to her current position at LANL.

In this interview, S. Michael Angel, a consultant on the SuperCam team, explains how the instrument analyzes Martian rocks and what it reveals about Mars’ geology and potential for past life.

Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, discusses his work analyzing spectroscopic data collected by the Chemistry Camera (ChemCam) aboard NASA’s Curiosity Rover.

Researchers from Tsinghua University and Qinghai University have uncovered how specific ambient gas properties affect the stability and accuracy of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) signals.

A new dual-spectroscopy approach reveals real-time pollution threats in indoor workspaces. Chinese researchers have pioneered the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and aerosol mass spectrometry to uncover and monitor harmful heavy metal and dust emissions from soldering and welding in real-time. These complementary tools offer a fast, accurate means to evaluate air quality threats in industrial and indoor environments—where people spend most of their time.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy and Jeonbuk National University presented a novel technique for analyzing lithium isotopes in liquid samples.

Using LIBS, infrared, and Raman spectroscopic techniques scientists detect quartz and hydrated silica, hinting at past Martian water activity and potential biosignatures

A new study published in Talanta introduces SYSPECTRAL, a portable multi-spectroscopic system that can conduct non-invasive, in situ chemical analysis of cultural heritage materials by integrating LIBS, LIF, Raman, and reflectance spectroscopy into a single compact device.

Researchers develop a rapid method for measuring calcium and magnesium in surface water accurately.

A new study in Icarus by Fabian Seel and colleagues at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) reveals how atmospheric conditions significantly impact LIBS plasma behavior.

This research investigates the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and machine learning (ML) for detecting elemental composition of food, using rice as an example.

A research team from China has developed a portable LIBS device integrated with machine learning to achieve improved accuracy in rapid, in situ rock classification for geological exploration and petroleum logging.

Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology and Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital have demonstrated how optimizing silver nanoparticle concentrations can mitigate the coffee-ring effect in nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (NELIBS), improving the accuracy of elemental analysis in bioliquid samples.

The most viewed Spectroscopy DOI-registered articles from January 2025.

A recent study explored how laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) signals are influenced by ambient gas properties.

Top articles published this week include two peer-reviewed articles that explore optical detection technology for seed vigor and classifying flowers, as well as a profile on Benjamin Manard, who was recognized as the winner of the 2025 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy.

In this study, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) to identify and classify flower species.

Spectroscopy spoke with Uwe Karst, a full professor at the University of Münster in the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, to discuss his research on hyphenated analytical techniques in battery research.

A recent study examines a new micro-laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (micro-LIBS) device that can provide elemental maps of lithium.

A recent study examined how spectroscopic techniques, such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS), are monitoring indoor air quality.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is being used frequently in space exploration missions. In this article, we review how LIBS is being used to increase our knowledge of the Moon and certain asteroids.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is being used to propel many space exploration missions forward. In this two-part article, we recap a recent study that explores the role LIBS is playing in space exploration.

A compilation of recent studies that used laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as part of the experimental procedure are presented.

Scientists from the University of Tokyo explored the utility of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in lunar missions.

NASA’s Perseverance rover is collecting valuable information for scientists back on Earth. A recent study explored how laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is being used to analyze the Martian surface.

A recent study presents a new technique that combines femtosecond double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (fs-DP-LIBS) with machine learning (ML) algorithms to significantly enhance tissue discrimination and signal quality, paving the way for more precise biomedical diagnostics.

In this paper, a system based on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and back propagation (BP) method was developed for the composition and traceability analysis of crop burning smoke.

Researchers in China proposed a new method using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in deep-sea mineral detection.

A recent review article published in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry describes the latest advancements in environmental monitoring while expanding the capabilities of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).