Windows into Planetary Science: A Review of Advances in Raman Spectroscopy, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy for Remote Sensing Applications

Laser-based optical spectroscopic techniques, namely Raman spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and photoluminescence (PL), are advanced analytical tools reliably used for remote sensing in space exploration and its parallels in Earth-based environments. Each of these techniques offers unique advantages for detecting and identifying minerals and other inorganic components of soil, sources of hydration, organic compounds and biosignature materials, and atmospheric gases, which together provide essential clues about planetary evolution, resource potential, and the possibility of human habitation. This Review concentrates on the advancements reported in the past 5 years in the implementation of these laser-based optical techniques for space-exploration-related studies or the equivalent. By integrating the strengths of Raman, LIBS, and PL spectroscopies within a single framework, this Review provides a unified roadmap for advancing the role of optical spectroscopy in planetary exploration.