8. Glossary – Definitions

Analyse in situ ; in situ analysis

Analysis carried out on site, without sampling or moving the sample.

Auto-absorption; self-absorption

Reabsorption of a photon emitted at the plasma center by the plasma periphery. Self-absorption leads to a decrease in the measured light intensity.

Bremsstrahlung (or continuum)

An effect that causes free electrons in plasma to emit light when they are decelerated during collisions with other particles. It is also known as synchrotron radiation. In LIBS, it leads to the production of a continuum of light.

Bremsstrahlung inverse

Reciprocal effect of the Bremsstrahlung effect, consisting in the absorption of laser photons by free electrons when they collide with other particles. In...