XRF and LIBS Spectrometers

Niton

Guide to Portable Elemental Analysis 

Understanding LIBS and Choosing Your Analyzer Technology

Portable Niton spectrometers make material identification easy and precise. You can now experience innovation with the state-of-the-art Niton Apollo: the handheld analyzer for Carbon Equivalency Testing and Positive Metal Identification. This is achieved by using Laser Inducted Breakdown Spectroscopy, or LIBS.

A LIBS analyzer may seem like the better alternative to traditional XRF in any situation, but there are important considerations to be made before deciding if a LIBS or XRF Handheld Analyzer is right for you. The following guide, in conjunction with the tables below, will help you understand LIBS technology better, as well as make a decision based on your exact needs.

Before deciding on your technology, ask yourself:

• What type of samples will you be analyzing?
• Will they be known or unknown?
• Will they be solids, liquids, or powders?
• Do you need a non-destructive method?
• Do you need carbon analysis?
• How critical is carbon analysis for your business?
• Do you need to worry about corrosion resistance, weldability, ductility, hardness, or obtaining precise identification of steel?
• What safety regulations need to be followed?
• What type of operator training is required?
• How much time do you have to dedicate to analysis?