Calibration-free Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS): Plasma criteria for porcine tissue

Böhmer E, Degelmann LS, Thoma OM, Waldner M, Mehari F, Klämpfl F, Hohmann M, Schmidt M (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Talanta Elsevier

Book Volume: 297

Article Number: 128545

DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2025.128545

Abstract

Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has established itself as a powerful analytical method in industrial applications, effectively analysing a wide range of materials such as metals and polymers, and even identifying the material composition on Mars. Despite its proven benefits in industrial settings, LIBS has not been extensively studied in medical contexts, where its potential benefits remain largely unexplored. This research builds on the successful application of a LIBS system for metal analysis and extends its methodology to biological samples. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the necessary conditions for calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS) analysis of porcine skin, muscle and fat, chosen for their similarities to human tissues. The three essential conditions for CF-LIBS are stoichiometric ablation, optically thin plasma and local thermodynamic equilibrium. To assess these conditions, the temperature was analysed using the Boltzmann plot, while the electron density was determined using the McWhirter criterion and the Saha–Boltzmann equation. These plasma criteria were carried out for the elements sodium, carbon, calcium, magnesium and iron. The results showed that it is possible to satisfy all three conditions for CF-LIBS for the elements studied, suggesting promising future applications of CF-LIBS in the analysis of biological tissues.

Authors with CRIS profile

Edith Böhmer Lehrstuhl für Photonische Technologien (LPT) Oana-Maria Thoma Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Maximilian Waldner Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I (Medizin 1) Florian Klämpfl Lehrstuhl für Photonische Technologien (LPT) Martin Hohmann Lehrstuhl für Photonische Technologien (LPT) Michael Schmidt Lehrstuhl für Photonische Technologien (LPT)

Involved external institutions

Spectral Industries NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Böhmer, E., Degelmann, L.S., Thoma, O.-M., Waldner, M., Mehari, F., Klämpfl, F.,... Schmidt, M. (2025). Calibration-free Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS): Plasma criteria for porcine tissue. Talanta, 297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2025.128545

MLA:

Böhmer, Edith, et al. "Calibration-free Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS): Plasma criteria for porcine tissue." Talanta 297 (2025).

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