Advanced Imaging of Strategic Light Elements – AISLE

Light elements classified as critical metals are difficult to detect, analyze and even less to quantify directly by conventional analytical methods based on X-ray fluorescence (EMPA, EDS, µXRF). Direct quantification of these elements in individual mineral phases is rarely achieved and these methods are often not well suited for the analysis of large areas (>100 cm²). Laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) is particularly suitable for light elements, i.e. H, Li, Be, B and C, and transition elements of the first row of the periodic table, with very low detection limits. The main objectives of the AISLE (Advanced Imaging of Strategic Light Elements) project are the optimization of a new ultra-fast (1 kHz) µLIBS platform for the analysis of very large samples and the rapid generation of quantitative elemental maps using artificial intelligence strategies, in a reduced time. The AISLE project is particularly innovative because it is based on the development of a new technology for the imaging of elements and minerals, which can be adapted to other subjects of study (materials, archaeology...).
This new µLIBS instrument, specially optimized for the analysis of light elements, will reach a detection limit of a few ppm, and will keep a high spatial resolution around 10-15µm for several million pixels/dot per sample. Artificial intelligence will be developed for the LIBS spectral database, in order to test the realization of a new strategy to obtain quantitative images to achieve an automatic classification of mineral phases. The final objective will be the development of a user-friendly interface within the processing software, in order to move to routine analysis on this unique analytical platform µLIBS (SCMEM, Nancy) open to new materials.