Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

The physical process of LIBS begins with focusing a high-energy laser pulse on a sample of interest. The laser pulse causes photochemical and photothermal breakdown of the sample, generating a plasma The energy of the laser-created plasma excites target elements in the sample causing the emission of their characteristic light.

Light emitted by these excited target elements is then transferred via fiber optic bundle to a spectrometer equipped with a photoelectric detector Emission line intensities for the target elements are then recorded providing quantitative and qualitative informations about the sample of interest.

The LIBS technology can analyse a sample in less than one minute without any preparation and is specific to elements contained in the chemical structure of pharmaceuticals. Qualitative and quantitative determinations can be obtained on drug formulations in developmental stages or in production for trouble shooting and improved process monitoring.