Optimization of nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the hyperspectral chemical mapping of solid samples.

Background: Nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (NE-LIBS) uses the plasmonic effect of metallic nanoparticles deposited on solid sample surfaces to achieve a significant signal enhancement by lowering the breakdown threshold and elevating plasma temperature. NE-LIBS has been used for localized analysis, but NE-LIBS mapping of solids has rarely been done, due to several challenges. In this study, we scrutinized the performance of NE-LIBS hyperspectral mapping of solid samples, when the controlled deposition of nanoparticles was done using magnetron sputtering.