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Did you know that LIBS can identify explosives from a distance of 100 meters? What is the science behind this technology?
In today's highly technological society, there are endless ways to detect explosives. Among these techniques, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has attracted much attention due to its high efficiency and sensitivity. LIBS technology uses high-energy plasma generated instantly by laser pulses to accurately detect and identify hazardous substances at a distance of hundreds of meters. This technology not only brings new opportunities for the development of security equipment, but also demonstrates its application potential in many fields such as military and industry.
LIBS technology is able to identify low concentrations of chemical elements and can analyze the composition of substances in an instant.
How LIBS works
The core of LIBS is to form plasma by focusing laser pulses, a process that involves the atomization and excitation of the sample. First, when the intensity of the laser reaches a threshold, it causes optical breakdown, generating a high-density plasma. In this plasma, the atoms of the sample become excited and emit light of a specific wavelength. The properties of this light can be analyzed by high-resolution spectrometers, helping scientists and technicians determine the chemical composition of a sample.
History and Development
Research in the 2000s
Since 2000, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory has begun exploring the potential of LIBS technology, especially in the detection of hazardous materials. Applications including identification of explosive remnants and plastic landmines have shown that LIBS can effectively distinguish between energetic and non-energetic materials. Research shows that this technology shows good results in the ability to identify different materials.
Latest Developments in the 2010s
By 2015, LIBS technology had shifted to the development of portable systems for a wide range of industrial applications, including the detection of material mixtures and the analysis of inclusions in steel. In addition, LIBS has also been applied to the technology of rapid identification of recyclable items, showing its good versatility.
LIBS has been demonstrated to be capable of rapid, minimally destructive analysis of food, demonstrating its potential in nutrition and safety testing.
Application of LIBS in Food Analysis
Recently, LIBS technology has been seen as a rapid and minimally destructive tool for food analysis, and researchers have conducted experiments on a variety of foods, including milk, bread, and tea. This technology not only enables qualitative analysis, but also shows potential for adulteration detection of certain foods. In particular, elemental imaging technology for meat has shined in research in 2019.
“The application of LIBS is not limited to the detection of hazardous substances, but can also play a key role in food safety and quality control.”
Future Outlook
With the continuous advancement of science and technology, LIBS technology may extend to more new application areas. From medical treatment to environmental monitoring, the potential value of LIBS cannot be underestimated. In the future, we may see wider application of this technology in security detection and resource management, and further improvement of the technology will make its recognition capabilities more powerful.
In this rapidly changing world, how will the development of LIBS technology affect our safety and daily life? It is worth our deep consideration.
