Abstract
There is growing interest in rapid analysis of rare earth elements (REEs) both due to the need to find new natural sources
to satisfy increased demand in their use in various electronic devices, as well as the fact that they are used to estimate
actinide masses for nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) appears to
be a particularly well-suited spectroscopy-based technology to rapidly and accurately analyze the REEs in various
matrices at low concentration levels (parts-per-million). Although LIBS spectra of REEs have been reported for a
number of years, further work is still necessary in order to be able to quantify the concentrations of various REEs in realworld
complex samples. LIBS offers advantages over conventional solution-based radiochemistry in terms of cost,
analytical turnaround, waste generation, personnel dose, and contamination risk. Rare earth elements of commercial
interest are found in the following three matrix groups: 1) raw ores and unrefined materials, 2) as components in refined
products such as magnets, lighting phosphors, consumer electronics (which are mostly magnets and phosphors),
catalysts, batteries, etc., and 3) waste/recyclable materials (aka e-waste). LIBS spectra for REEs such as Gd, Nd, and
Sm found in rare earth magnets are presented.
