Hydrogen and Lithium Isotope Analysis via Optical Spectroscopy of Laser-Produced Plasmas
Abstract
Accurate detection and quantification of light-element isotopes, particularly hydrogen (H) and lithium (Li), are essential across chemistry, materials science, geology, nuclear energy, forensics, and defense applications. Their isotopic compositions provide insight into fuel cycles, materials degradation, mass transport, and environmental processes. Hydrogen and Li isotopes are especially relevant in nuclear environments because neutron-induced reactions directly connect their isotopic inventories. Despite their importance, analysis of these light isotopes remains challenging due to their low atomic mass, high mobility, and, in some cases, radiological constraints. While some existing analytical techniques can detect and measure H and/or Li, they typically require extensive sample preparation, laboratory-based instrumentation, or extended analysis times that preclude real-time monitoring capabilities. To address these limitations, optical spectroscopy of laser-produced plasmas offers a promising solution, enabling field-deployable, standoff sensing of isotopic signatures with real-time analysis capability and no sample preparation requirement. This Topical Review summarizes fundamentals and recent advances in H and Li isotopic analysis using optical spectroscopy, with emphasis on laser-produced plasmas generated by laser ablation of solid targets. Key concepts relevant to isotope-resolved optical measurements are introduced, including isotope shifts, fine and hyperfine structure, and line-broadening mechanisms. Progress in optical emission, laser induced fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy is reviewed for H and Li isotopes.
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BibTeX
@misc{kautz2026hydrogen,
title = {{Hydrogen and Lithium Isotope Analysis via Optical Spectroscopy of Laser-Produced Plasmas}},
author = {Elizabeth Kautz and Caleb Clark and Nusrat Karim and Mark C. Phillips and Sivanandan S. Harilal},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2609.13554},
eprint = {2609.13554},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.13554},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Hydrogen and Lithium Isotope Analysis via Optical Spectroscopy of Laser-Produced Plasmas
AU - Elizabeth Kautz
AU - Caleb Clark
AU - Nusrat Karim
AU - Mark C. Phillips
AU - Sivanandan S. Harilal
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2609.13554
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.13554
AB - Accurate detection and quantification of light-element isotopes, particularly hydrogen (H) and lithium (Li), are essential across chemistry, materials science, geology, nuclear energy, forensics, and defense applications. Their isotopic compositions provide insight into fuel cycles, materials degradation, mass transport, and environmental processes. Hydrogen and Li isotopes are especially relevant in nuclear environments because neutron-induced reactions directly connect their isotopic inventories. Despite their importance, analysis of these light isotopes remains challenging due to their low atomic mass, high mobility, and, in some cases, radiological constraints. While some existing analytical techniques can detect and measure H and/or Li, they typically require extensive sample preparation, laboratory-based instrumentation, or extended analysis times that preclude real-time monitoring capabilities. To address these limitations, optical spectroscopy of laser-produced plasmas offers a promising solution, enabling field-deployable, standoff sensing of isotopic signatures with real-time analysis capability and no sample preparation requirement. This Topical Review summarizes fundamentals and recent advances in H and Li isotopic analysis using optical spectroscopy, with emphasis on laser-produced plasmas generated by laser ablation of solid targets. Key concepts relevant to isotope-resolved optical measurements are introduced, including isotope shifts, fine and hyperfine structure, and line-broadening mechanisms. Progress in optical emission, laser induced fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy is reviewed for H and Li isotopes.
ER -