Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
08:53
Dependence of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Results on Pulse Energies and Timing Parameters Using Soil Simulants
Published on: September 23, 2013
Correlation of limestone beds using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and chemometric analysis
Nancy J McMillan1, Carlos Montoya, Warren H Chesner
1Department of Geological Sciences, New Mexico State University, Box 30001, MSC 3AB, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA. nmcmilla@nmsu.edu
Applied Optics
|March 14, 2012
Summary
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) successfully correlated 16 Kansas limestone beds. A novel matching algorithm achieved 95% accuracy, demonstrating LIBS
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Geology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Traditional limestone bed correlation relies on age, fossils, and stratigraphy.
- Chemically similar limestone beds present challenges for accurate correlation.
- Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) offers a potential alternative for elemental analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of LIBS and multivariate techniques for correlating chemically similar limestone beds.
- To compare the performance of SIMCA, PLS-1, and a novel matching algorithm for limestone bed discrimination.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 16 Kansas limestone beds using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
- Application of three multivariate techniques: SIMCA, PLS-1, and a sequential binary PLS-1 matching algorithm.
- Spectra preprocessing involved averaging ten LIBS shots per particle and using the full 198-969 nm wavelength range.
Main Results:
- SIMCA and PLS-1 models failed to effectively discriminate among chemically similar limestone beds.
- The developed matching algorithm achieved a 95-96% success rate in correlating limestone beds.
- 100% correlation accuracy was attainable by classifying based on the majority of spectra per bed.
Conclusions:
- Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a viable tool for complex geological correlation.
- The developed matching algorithm provides a rapid and accurate method for limestone bed identification.
- LIBS offers a promising approach for elemental analysis in geological strata.
