Paving the way for portable laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
The LIBScan project, led by the Portuguese company Sarspec, Lda in collaboration with Associação do Instituto Superior Técnico para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento (IST-ID) and INESC TEC, has been officially approved by Agência de Inovação, securing €818,000 Euros of funding. The project represents a total investment of €1.3 million and aims to develop a portable laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system for rapid elemental mapping in scientific and industrial applications.The project's objectives include significantly improving the speed and resolution of chemical composition mapping on large sample surfaces compared to current state-of-the-art technologies. The IST-ID participation is ensured by team members from IPFN's Group for Lasers and Plasmas.
The objectives of LIBScan project include:
- Develop a high-repetition-rate laser system (kHz) capable of creating detailed maps of elemental compositions with a resolution of up to 100 micrometres over large areas (up to 10x10 cm) within minutes;
- Create an easily transportable LIBS device, enhancing the versatility and applicability of elemental analysis across various fields such as geosciences, biology, and environmental monitoring;
- Leverage advances in laser technology and spectrometers to reduce mapping time from hours with existing systems to just a few minutes;
- Reduce the size and cost of LIBS systems, making the technology more accessible for both scientific research and industrial use;
IPFN plays a crucial role in the LIBScan project, contributing the expertise of its researchers in developing innovative solutions for optical systems and laser technology, as well as low-noise, fast electronics for signal control and acquisition. Its collaboration focuses on designing optical hardware for spectral analysis, leveraging its knowledge of laser-plasma interactions. The INESC-ID team will be in charge of instrumentation electronics for high-dynamic-range, low-noise, high-sampling-rate signal acquisition. The project will also benefit from IPFN's laser laboratories, enabling tests with high-repetition-rate laser systems.
The project represents a collaboration between Sarspec, IST-ID, and INESC TEC, bringing together a multidisciplinary team in optics, lasers, electronics, and software development. The project is expected to start in 2024 and be completed in 2027. Over the next three years, the consortium aims to deliver a portable and functional LIBS system capable of revolutionising real-time chemical element mapping.
LIBScan is prepared to have a significant impact on both industrial and scientific sectors, providing fast and accurate elemental analysis, particularly in areas such as environmental monitoring, materials science, and even archaeology. The system’s portability and ability to quickly produce high-resolution chemical maps will unlock new possibilities for real-time and in-situ analyses, currently constrained by the capabilities of existing market technologies.
