A laser-based system for real-time detection of toxic elements in aerosols and gases

High-sensitivity material analysis techniques, relying on conventional (radio frequency-based and electrostatic) particle accelerators, such as particle-induced x-ray emission and particle-induced gamma-ray emission, face limitations for widespread applications due to their size and complexity, restricting real-time and portable use. In this Letter, we demonstrate that the simultaneous use of laser-generated protons and laser-generated x-rays, as obtained by interaction of a high-power laser with a target, can be used to analyze aerosols and emission gases and allow for a rapid detection of (harmful) elements down to particle concentrations of hundreds of ppm. This technique represents a promising advancement for portable, rapid, and real-time chemical composition analysis with potential applications in environmental monitoring, industrial emissions, and urban air quality management.