Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is examined as a potential method for detecting airborne biological agents. A spectrally broadband LIBS system was used for laboratory measurements on some common biological agent simulants. These measurements were compared to those of common, naturally occurring biological aerosol components (pollen and fungal spores) to determine the potential of LIBS for discriminating biological agents from natural background aerosols. A principal components analysis illustrates that linear combinations of the detected atomic lines, which are present in different ratios in each of the samples tested, can be used to discriminate biological agent simulants from other biological matter. A more sensitive, narrowband LIBS instrument was used to demonstrate the detection of single simulant (Bg) particles in the size range 1-5 microns. Ca, Mg, and Na, which are present in varying concentrations between 0.3 and 11% (by mass) in the Bg particles, were observed in single particles using LIBS.

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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to measure the equivalence ratio of a spark-ignited engine in a laboratory setting. Spectral features of C (711.3 nm), O (776.6 nm), N (746.3 and 743.8 nm), and CN (broad emission 707-734 nm) were used to quantify the equivalence ratio over a range from phi = 0.8 to phi = 1.2. The C/N and C/O peak ratios were found to be successful measurement metrics, compared with a standard exhaust gas oxygen analyzer, for averaged measurements. Some variation in the measurements was observed as a function of engine load. Single-shot data based on a CN/air peak ratio were evaluated using a separate calibration from averaged measurements, and the average of the single-shot data was found to agree well with the exhaust gas oxygen analyzer. The scatter in the single-shot data was substantially higher at lower equivalence ratios. The measurements including the CN peak were slightly sensitive to load, possibly due to pressure changes in the sample as the load increases, or possibly due to changes in the particle size distribution in the gas stream.