Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in heritage science

Abstract

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a versatile analytical technique that can be used to probe the elemental composition of materials in diverse types of heritage samples, objects or monuments. The main physical principles underlying LIBS are presented along with analytical figures of merit and technical details concerning instrumentation. In practice, LIBS analysis does not require any sample preparation and the technique is nearly non-invasive, offering close to microscopic spatial resolution and the possibility for depth profile analysis. These features are, at present, available in a number of compact or transportable instruments that offer versatility and enable the use of LIBS for the analysis of a broad variety of objects/samples at diverse locations and this can be highly valuable at several stages of archaeological investigations and conservation campaigns. Representative examples are presented indicating how LIBS has been used to obtain compositional information for materials in the context of archaeological science, art history and conservation.