Synergy between Basic and Applied Research in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Biochemical Analyses

Dear Colleagues,

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a well-established atomic spectroscopic technique that performs qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative analyses of the elemental chemical composition of a wide variety of sample materials (gas, liquid, or solid). Nowadays, LIBS is a very active field of research worldwide with outstanding applications in a broad range of fields. Particularly, elemental analysis of biochemical samples (such as soil, vegetative matter, human bones, and geological samples) is very interesting in environmental science, agriculture, archaeology, forensics, and geology, among other fields. Furthermore, laboratory measurements are paving the way for the development of the LIBS technique in in-field analysis.

Simplicity and versatility are distinctive LIBS advantages that allow for the realization of rapid, simultaneous multi-elemental analysis with no need for sample treatment. Over the last decades, these features have been boosted by striking scientific and technological developments aimed at field-portable instruments. In addition, LIBS spectra contain rewarding information about the physical characteristics of plasma. This information, which can be recovered through a detailed analysis of the measured data, is very helpful to gather insights regarding complex plasma dynamics, such as the time evolution of species emission, self-absorption of the spectral lines, spatial inhomogeneity of the plasma plume, and matrix effects. A convenient exploitation of the mentioned issues, instead of their prevention, can fruitfully contribute to the improvement of LIBS performance. In fact, gaining a deep understanding of the physical processes involved in plasma behavior enables for the optimization of experiments and leads to a correct interpretation of the obtained results. Conversely, suitable experiments can be depicted to refine the models of plasma radiation.

This Special Issue, entitled “Synergy between Basic and Applied Research in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Biochemical Analyses”, is devoted to manuscripts about the synergy between basic and applied LIBS research. The focus will be on works showing the benefits of combining these two complementary types of research initiatives so that performance is improved or enhanced in regard to single independent perspectives.

Dr. Diego M. Díaz Pace
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Chemosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• LIBS
• laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
• spectral analysis
• plasma dynamics