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.