The Role of LIBS and Mass Spectrometry in Planetary Exploration: An Interview with Kelsey Williams, Part I

National Space Day spotlights the current contributions of analytical spectroscopy in the field of space exploration. 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) (1–3).

Kelsey Williams is a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Photo Credit: © Kelsey Williams.

Kelsey Williams earned a PhD in Chemistry from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, in 2023, with a dissertation focused on developing instrumentation for LIBS and LAMIS, including innovations in temporal-gating methods, spatial filtering, and microwave-enhanced emission using microstrips.

In Part I of our interview with Williams, she discusses how her background led her to her current position at LANL.

I’d like to begin the interview by talking about your background, particularly about your research interests in developing and application of novel mass spectrometers and ionization sources, as well as spectroscopic techniques such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Can you describe your research background, and how this led you to Los Alamos National Laboratory?

I was sold on chemistry as my degree since high school. I had a teacher who mixed two solids together and it created a liquid, and the reaction was endothermic. So, we set the container on a piece of wet wood, and it just froze to the wood. And I was like, “That is the coolest thing. I want to know how that works.” So from there, I just kind of followed my interests and where my curiosities led me.

I eventually went to college and got a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. And during that time, I was able to do some geochemistry research in a geology laboratory. I learned different fields of chemistry and everything, but I found myself liking the interaction with instrumentation the most. When I ended up applying to PhD programs, I was contacted by Professor Jake Shelly, who's currently at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but was at Kent State University at the time,who said, “I see you applied. What are your interests?” And I said, “Well, I'm interested in pursuing research, and I like using instrumentation.” And so, he sent me some papers that were related to the work that he was doing in his laboratory on the development of mass spectrometry (MS) techniques. And I was like, “Yeah, let's try this.”

And so, I ended up at Kent State University for about a year and a half with Jake Shelley as my Ph.D. advisor. I got to work on the development of ionization sources. In particular, I think the most noteworthy ionization source that I worked on was the solution-cathode glow discharge, and we were able to use that to perform molecular, biomolecular, and atomic MS.

And that was my first introduction to a truly productive research experiment experience. During that time, I also had to do a presentation for one of Professor Shelley's classes, and it was on a technique called laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS), which is a technique that is very similar to LIBS. That's where I first encountered the Mars Rovers and ChemCam, an instrument that's currently on Mars. I became fascinated with LIBS and LAMIS, but because of unforeseen circumstances, Professor Shelley left Kent State, so I ended up leaving Kent State as well. But instead of going to Rensselaer, I went to the University at Buffalo, and there I worked with Professor Steven Ray, who also worked in MS, but he was working with mass analyzers. I started by working on a technique called distance-of-flight and zoom-time-of-flight. It's kind of a derivative of time-of-flight mass spectrometry. But during that time, I also had the opportunity to start working on some LIBS experiments. Through these experiments, I developed temporal gating methods to make the instrumentation for LIBS smaller and cheaper.

I ended up working on microwave-assisted LIBS, where I was introducing microwaves into the LIBS plasma to enhance the signals. I became more interested in the chemistry and physics of the plasma. I was just fascinated by the LIBS plasma, and how we can improve our detection techniques and things of that nature. And so, I realized LIBS was something I wanted to pursue long-term. That lead to my desire to work with the ChemCam team and, later, SuperCam team, both of which have LIBS instruments on Mars that originated here at LANL.

And so, when I was coming up at the end of my Ph.D. career, I decided to look at jobs in this space, and I found a posting on LinkedIn for a planetary instrumentation postdoc. I applied, and I got the job. Now I'm working with people who were on the team that put together and operate ChemCam and SuperCam. So it's been a long and winding road to get here, but this is exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do.

References

1. Wetzel, W. The Impact of LIBS on Space Exploration: Mars. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-impact-of-libs-on-space-exploration-mars (accessed 2025-04-23).
2. McMillan, N. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Carleton.edu. Available at: https://serc.carleton.edu/msu_nanotech/methods/libs.html (accessed 2025-04-23).
3. Wetzel, W. Celebrate National Space Day with Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/celebrate-national-space-day-with-spectroscopy (accessed 2025-04-23)