Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy as a diagnostic technique for the laser cleaning of marbleLaser-induced breakdown spectroscopy as a diagnostic technique for the laser cleaning of marble Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-011997enLaser cleaning studies were performed on samples of ancient Pentelic marble covered with black encrustations by employing a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Elemental analysis by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been applied as a real-time diagnostic technique for the cleaning process, with the aim of safeguarding against potential damage. In addition to the elemental composition, this technique can also provide information on the depth and morphology of the crust when combined with ablation rate studies. In this way the choice of the optimum laser parameters for effective cleaning is facilitated. The analytical and structural composition obtained by LIBS compares well with the results obtained by traditional analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy. This indicates that LIBS can be used as an autonomous on-line diagnostic technique, providing information necessary for accomplishing the efficient laser cleaning of marble artefacts.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy15241–53 Maravelaki Pagona Μαραβελακη Παγωνα Zafiropoulos, V. Kilikoglou, Vassilis Kalaitzaki Maria Καλαϊτζακη Μαρια Fotakis, C. Elsevier Laser-induced plasma spectroscopy LIBS (Spectrum analysis) laser induced breakdown spectroscopy laser induced plasma spectroscopy libs spectrum analysis