Best of the Week: Fiber Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Understanding Particle Behavior

Quantitative elemental analysis of aluminum alloys was recently conducted using fiber laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). We’ll explore the findings from this peer-reviewed study here. Also, what were the top 10 articles of the month? Some articles on the list may surprise you.

This is the Best of the Week.

First, a new peer-reviewed study on quantitative elemental analysis of aluminum alloys using fiber laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, or LIBS. Researchers looked at how laser pulse width and repetition rate affect accuracy and sensitivity. They found that moderately long pulses improved sensitivity when pulse energy was limited, while high repetition rates boosted sensitivity by more than 40% and sharpened detection limits down to just 17.9 parts per million.¹ Interestingly, the degree of elemental enhancement tracked closely with each element's melting and boiling point, likely tied to heat accumulation in the plasma.¹ There was a catch though, and that was that the push repetition rates too high, and because of that, there’s a risk of elemental fractionation, so careful optimization is key for reliable results.¹

Next, in this week's “Tutorial Tuesday” clip, David Clases of the University of Graz breaks down how two-dimensional (2D) optical traps use fluidic and optical forces to trap, accelerate, and decelerate particles. This approach complements inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) by catching particles that technique might miss, while adding Raman spectroscopy and particle-size data to the picture.²

We're also spotlighting Spectroscopy's Top 10 Articles for July 2026. Some of the top-performing articles include Brian Smith's "Rule of Three" approach to polyester infrared (IR) analysis and Fran Adar's guide to interpreting protein Raman spectra. Rounding out the list includes articles on lithium-ion battery characterization, artificial intelligence (AI) in vibrational spectroscopy, multielement geological analysis, and more.³

And finally, don't miss episode two of “Spectroscopy Around the Globe,” where we dig into how portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), ICP-MS, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and uranium-lead geochronology helped researchers trace Stonehenge's sarsens to Wiltshire and its mysterious Altar Stone all the way to Scotland's Orcadian Basin.⁴

That's your Best of the Week. Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next time.

References

1. Zhang, S.; Xiao, Q.; Chen, F.; Chen, Y.; Wu, H.; Wang, G. Exploitation of Fiber Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy on the Quantitative Analysis of Aluminum Alloys. Spectroscopy 2026, 41 (wp8), ASAP. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/exploitation-of-fiber-laser-induced-breakdown-spectroscopy-on-the-quantitative-analysis-of-aluminum-alloys
2. Clases, D.; Wetzel, W. Improving Our Understanding of Particle Behavior. Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/improving-our-understanding-of-particle-behavior (accessed August 12, 2026).
3. Workman, Jr., J. Spectroscopy Top 10 Articles of the Month (July 2026). Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/spectroscopy-top-10-articles-of-the-month-july-2026- (accessed August 12, 2026).
4. Wetzel, W. Spectroscopy Around the Globe, Episode 2: Stonehenge. Spectroscopy Online, 2026. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/spectroscopy-around-the-globe-episode-2-stonehenge (accessed August 12, 2026).