The quantative analysis of radionuclides and their products has always been a challenge from a non-proliferation point of view to the environmental impact of these compounds. While traditional radiation-based spectroscopy has established a strong presence in the area, elemental analysis using mass spectrometry or optical emission spectroscopy has always showed a record of high sensitivity and low limits of detection. One of the techniques of interest since the 1970's has been Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).<br/>LIBS uses a laser pulse for the sampling and excitation of any substrate in order to detect analytes of interest via elemental optical emission. While LIBS has become a strong analytical technique in the laboratory, recent developments in field instrumentation fulfill the dreams of early groups for elemental optical analysis in the field: good portability combined with high resolution spectroscopy and long-lasting battery life. Nonetheless, LIBS stays very sensitive to matrix effects. One approach to counter them and provide a global quantitative elemental analysis is to establish calibration-free protocols for handheld LIBS instruments.<br/>This presentation will quickly review the use of LIBS for nuclear analysis (with a focus on field instrumentation) and show the results from our group on using LIBS for Tc detection and analysis, and the development of protocols for quantitative portable LIBS based on calibration-free approaches.

Quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in the field: The next step in field nuclear analysis

ACS Spring 2022

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