Broadband high-resolution spectrometers were developed in 2000 and commercialized in 2003. Designed for material analysis, the spectrometer allowed the LIBS system to be sensitive to chemical elements in low concentration.
ARL LIBS applications studied from 2000 to 2010 included:
* Tested for detection of Halon alternative agents
* Tested a field-portable LIBS system for the detection of lead in soil and paint
* Studied the spectral emission of aluminum and aluminum oxides from bulk aluminum in different bath gases 
* Performed kinetic modeling of LIBS plumes 
* Demonstrated the detection and discrimination of geological materials, plastic landmines, explosives, and chemical and biological warfare agent surrogates
ARL LIBS prototypes studied during this period included:
* Laboratory LIBS setup 
* Commercial LIBS system
* Man-portable LIBS device 
* Standoff LIBS system developed for 100+ m detection and discriminate on of explosive residues.