RT Journal Article
T1 Improved detection capabilities of molecular emission in microwave-enhanced laser-induced plasma
A1 García-Gómez, Laura
A1 Soriano, J.K.
A1 Vadillo-Pérez, José Miguel
A1 Ikeda, Y.
K1 Espectroscopía de plasma inducido por láser
K1 Láseres en física
K1 Química analítica
AB The detection of molecular emissions in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) remains a subject of active research, driven by the need to improve both signal-to-noise ratios and spectral definition. Various enhancement strategies have been proposed, including double-pulse configurations and hybrid systems combining LIBS with complementary techniques like Raman spectroscopy or laser-induced fluorescence. While effective, these methods often introduce considerable experimental complexity. In this context, the present study explores microwave re-excitation (MW-LIBS) as a more accessible alternative capable of modifying plasma dynamics without additional optical alignment. The introduction of microwave energy increases collisional activity within the plasma, extending its duration to the millisecond range and amplifying emission signals. Molecular species were monitored under this regime, focusing on canonical emitters such as CN and CaO, as well as less commonly reported systems like SnO, which has not been previously described in LIBS literature. The most significant enhancements were observed under conditions approaching the plasma ablation threshold. Moreover, MW-LIBS enabled the observation of molecular emissions in the red and near-infrared regions, which are generally limited in conventional LIBS due to detector inefficiencies and reduced plasma radiative output. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of molecular formation in sustained plasmas and demonstrate the potential of MW-LIBS for enhancing molecular diagnostics.
PB Elsevier
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/40302
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/40302
LA eng
NO L. García-Gómez, J.K. Soriano, J.M. Vadillo, Y. Ikeda, Improved detection capabilities of molecular emission in microwave-enhanced laser-induced plasma, Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, Volume 235, 2026, 107356
NO Disponible online desde octubre 2025
NO Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
NO This work was supported by Programa Operativo FEDER Andalucía 2014–2020, Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento de la Junta de Andalucía, Reference UMA18-FEDERJA-272 and by Project PID2020- 119185GB-I00 from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of Spain. An author, L. García-Gómez, is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad for the concession of a FPI grant from Project PID2020-119185GB-I00.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 19 ene 2026