Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Second Edition, covers the basic principles and latest developments in instrumentation and applications of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Written by active experts in the field, it serves as a useful resource for analytical chemists and spectroscopists, as well as graduate students and researchers engaged in the fields of combustion, environmental science, and planetary and space exploration. This fully revised second edition includes several new chapters on new LIBS techniques as well as several new applications, including flame and off-gas measurement, pharmaceutical samples, defense applications, carbon sequestration and site monitoring, handheld instruments, and more.

LIBS has rapidly developed into a major analytical technology with the capability of detecting all chemical elements in a sample, of real- time response, and of close-contact or stand-off analysis of targets. It does not require any sample preparation, unlike conventional spectroscopic analytical techniques. Samples in the form of solids, liquids, gels, gases, plasmas, and biological materials (like teeth, leaves, or blood) can be studied with almost equal ease. This comprehensive reference introduces the topic to readers in a simple, direct, and accessible manner for easy comprehension and maximum utility.

• Covers even more applications of LIBS beyond the first edition, including combustion, soil physics, environment, and life sciences
• Includes new chapters on LIBS techniques that have emerged in the last several years, including Femtosecond LIBS and Molecular LIBS
• Provides inspiration for future developments in this rapidly growing field in the concluding chapter

Dr. Singh received his M.Sc. and PhD from Banaras Hindu University, India. His field of specialization is Laser Spectroscopy, Optical Fiber Sensors, Explosive detection, Molecular Dynamics, Laser Diagnostics for Combustion, Laser Ultrasonic and Hazardous Waste Management. Dr. Singh is currently working on laser-based advanced optical diagnostics such as Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for measuring the composition of the Plutonium Oxide residue produced during weapons-grade Plutonium processing. He has developed LIBS for measuring the concentration of toxic metals in the off-gases and in melt glass. Dr. Singh has worked in laser photo fragmentation laser induced fluorescence (PF-LIF) to measure the concentration of explosives. Dr. Singh has also developed Non-linear laser diagnostic techniques such as Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy for high temperature, high luminescence and turbulent combustion flows. He has published 165 papers in International Journals, 176 presentations and 8 patents. Dr. Singh is Fellow of OSA and LASSI.

Surya N. Thakur is a retired Professor of Physics at Banaras Hindu University, India. He has taught courses in Physical Optics, Atomic Spectroscopy, Electronic & Vibrational Spectroscopy of Molecules, Spectro-Chemical Analysis, Lasers & Nonlinear Spectroscopy, Molecular Vibrations & Nonradiative Transitions and Experimental Techniques of Supersonic Molecular Beam Spectroscopy, Photoacoustic & Photothermal Spectroscopy, Optogalvanic Spectroscopy, and Raman Spectroscopy. He received his PhD in Experimental Spectroscopy from Banaras Hindu University and carried out postdoctoral work at Reading University, UK and SUNY Binghamton, USA. His interests are nonlinear spectroscopy, potential surfaces and nonradiative transitions in large molecules. He has held 1851 Exhibition Fellowship of the Royal Commission (London) and the Career Award of the University Grants Commission (New Delhi, India). He was President of the Physics Section of Indian National Science Congress in 1991 and is a Fellow of the Laser and Spectroscopy Society of India. He has over 100 research publications.