Novel probe for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and Raman measurements using an imaging optical fiber

A fiber-optic probe designed for remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Raman spectroscopy, and Raman imaging has been developed for the microanalysis of solid samples. The probe incorporates both single-strand optical fibers and an image guide and allows atomic emission and Raman analysis of any spot on a solid sample within a 5 mm diameter field of view. The real-time sample imaging aspects of the probe are demonstrated by measuring LIBS spectra from different regions of a granite sample and by measuring the Raman spectra of individual TiO2 and Sr(NO3)(2) particles on a soil substrate. The ability to obtain remote Raman images of the TiO2 and Sr(NO3)(2) particles on the soil substrate is also demonstrated. In this paper we discuss the design and implementation of the fiber-optic probe for obtaining LIBS spectra, Raman spectra, and Raman images.