Double pulse, calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: A new technique for in situ standard-less analysis of polluted soils

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a promising technique for in situ environmental analysis. The potential of this technique for accurate quantitative analysis could be greatly improved using an innovative experimental setup based on the use of two laser pulses suitably retarded - and analyzing the results with a standard-less procedure which overcomes the problems related to matrix effects. A new mobile instrument for soil analysis, developed at the Applied Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory in Pisa, is presented, and some experimental results are given. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.