Development of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy based spectral tandem technology: a topical review

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful and versatile analytical tool for real-time, simultaneous, and all-element detection. However, its broader applications were constrained by matrix effects, large signal uncertainty, molecular information absence, and limited mapping analysis. LIBS-based spectral tandem technologies aim to address these limitations by combining LIBS with elemental analytical technologies (laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy), molecular spectroscopy (Raman spectroscopy and near-infrared spectroscopy), and scanning technologies (hyperspectral imaging). Tandem technologies offer complementary advantages over individual LIBS, including comprehensive elemental determination, bridging the gap between elemental and molecular information, and high spatial-resolution elemental mapping. This review focuses on the progress in measurement schemes, data fusion methods, unique synergic results, and future prospects. This work aims to guide analysts to address complex analytical tasks and foster mutually beneficial advancements wherein LIBS and other analytical technologies grow synergistically.