Enhancing prediction stability and performance in LIBS analysis using custom CNN architectures

LIBS-based analysis has experienced an ever-increasing interest in recent years as a well-suited technique for chemical analysis tasks relying on elemental fingerprinting. This method stands out for its ability to offer rapid, simultaneous multi-element analysis with the advantage of portability. In the context of this research, our aim is to bridge the gap between the analysis of simulated and real data to better account for variations in plasma temperature and electron density, which are typically not considered in LIBS analysis. To achieve this, we employ two distinct methodologies, PLS and CNNs, to construct predictive models for predicting the concentration of the 24 elements within each LIBS spectrum. The initial phase of our investigation concentrates on the training and testing of these models using simulated LIBS data, with results evaluated through RMSEP values. The IQR and median RMSEP values for all the elements demonstrate that CNNs consistently achieved values below 0.01, while PLS results ranged from 0.01 to 0.05, highlighting the superior stability and predictive accuracy of CNNs model. In the next phase, we applied the pre-trained models to analyze the real LIBS spectra, consistently identifying Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), and Silicon (Si) as having the highest predicted concentrations. The overall predicted values were approximately 0.5 for Al, 0.6 for Si, and 0.04 for Fe. In the third phase, deliberate adjustments are made to the training parameters and architecture of the proposed CNNs model to force the network to emphasize specific elements, prioritizing them over other components present in each real LIBS spectrum. The generation of the three modified versions of the initially proposed CNNs allows us to explore the impact of regularization, sample weighting, and a customized loss function on prediction outcomes. Some elements emerge during the prediction phase, with Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Titanium (Ti), and Gallium (Ga) exhibiting more pronounced patterns. • The study evaluated model stability against plasma temperature and electron density. • Shifted from simulated to real LIBS data, to predict 24 elements in each spectrum. • CNNs model outperformed PLS regression in prediction stability and accuracy. • Three different CNNs models designed with adjustments to focus on specific elements. • CNNs successfully mitigated the influences of electron density and plasma variations.