LIBS is considered one of the most efficient and user friendly analytical techniques for trace elemental analysis in gases, solids, and liquids. Some of its major advantages include:
- Real-time measurements: online monitoring and quality control of industrial processes
- Noninvasive, nondestructive technique: valuable samples can be reused, sensitive materials can be analyzed, suitable for in-situ biological analysis
- Remote measurements can be done from up to 50 meters distance: can be used in hazardous environments and for space exploration missions on other planets
- Compact and inexpensive equipment: can be widely used in industrial environments, perfect for field measurements
- High-spatial resolution: can obtain 2D chemical and mechanical profiles of virtually any solid material with up to 1 µm precision
- Non or very little sample preparation is required: reduced measurement time, greater convenience, less opportunity for sample contamination
- Samples can be in virtually any form: gas, liquid, or solids
- Analysis can be performed with a very small amount of sample (nanograms): very useful in chemistry for characterization of new chemicals and in material science for characterization of new composite materials or nanostructures
- Virtually any chemical element can be analyzed, such as heavier elements unavailable for X-ray fluorescence
- Analysis can be done on extremely hard materials like ceramics and superconductors; these materials are difficult to dissolve or sample to perform other types of analysis
- In aerosols both particle size and chemical composition can be analyzed simultaneously