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Updated: May 24, 2026
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Dependence of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Results on Pulse Energies and Timing Parameters Using Soil Simulants
Published on: September 23, 2013
Classification of explosive residues on organic substrates using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy
Frank C De Lucia1, Jennifer L Gottfried
1U.S. Army Research Laboratory, RDRL-WML-A, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005, USA. frank.c.delucia.civ@mail.mil
Applied Optics
|March 14, 2012
Summary
Standoff laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) effectively classifies thin explosive residues on painted surfaces. Multivariate analysis improves accuracy, even when the substrate shares elemental components with the residue.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Chemometrics
Background:
- Standoff laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used for trace residue classification.
- Substrate material can interfere with LIBS analysis, complicating residue identification.
- Similar elemental compositions between residue and substrate pose classification challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of combining multivariate analysis with standoff LIBS.
- To determine the feasibility of classifying thin explosive residue layers on painted surfaces.
- To assess LIBS performance when substrate signals overlap with residue signals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized standoff laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
- Applied multivariate analysis techniques to LIBS data.
- Tested classification on thin explosive residue layers on painted substrates.
Main Results:
- Achieved good classification results for explosive residues on painted surfaces.
- Demonstrated successful classification despite substrate interference.
- Confirmed that multivariate analysis mitigates challenges from overlapping elemental signals.
Conclusions:
- Coupling multivariate analysis with standoff LIBS is effective for classifying explosive residues on painted surfaces.
- This approach enhances accuracy even with interfering substrate signals.
- LIBS combined with chemometrics offers a viable solution for trace residue detection.
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