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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in archaeological science—applications and prospects

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Abstract

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged in the past ten years as a promising technique for analysis and characterization of the composition of a broad variety of objects of cultural heritage including painted artworks, icons, polychromes, pottery, sculpture, and metal, glass, and stone artifacts. This article describes in brief the basic principles and technological aspects of LIBS, and reviews several test cases that demonstrate the applicability and prospects of LIBS in the field of archaeological science.

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Acknowledgements

AG is grateful to IKY (Hellenic Foundation of Scholarships) for a graduate fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), P.O. Box 1385, 71110, Heraklion, Greece

    Anastasia Giakoumaki, Kristalia Melessanaki & Demetrios Anglos

  2. Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 71409, Heraklion, Greece

    Anastasia Giakoumaki

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  1. Anastasia Giakoumaki
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  2. Kristalia Melessanaki
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  3. Demetrios Anglos
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Correspondence to Demetrios Anglos.

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Giakoumaki, A., Melessanaki, K. & Anglos, D. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in archaeological science—applications and prospects. Anal Bioanal Chem 387, 749–760 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-006-0908-1

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