An apparatus for performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, comprising: a housing configured as a handheld apparatus having an exit for electromagnetic radiation generated from within the housing; an active Q-switched OPO Nd:YAG diode pumped solid state laser module (402, 602) with a controller system (405, 605) operatively coupled thereto, the laser module (402, 602) and the controller system (405, 605) being disposed within the housing, the laser module (402, 602) configured to direct a laser beam through the exit, wherein the laser module (402, 602) operates at a power mode of about 30 watts or less; fiber optic member disposed in the housing configured to transfer light collected at a distal end of the fiber optic member from a plasma induced of a sample material by the laser beam, the fiber optic member distal end being disposed adjacent the exit; a spectrometer module (412A, 412B, 612A, 612B) disposed in the housing configured to receive light from a proximal end of the fiber optic member, and configured to produce a spectral distribution corresponding to the sample material from the received light, and a sampling point interface member with a proximal opening disposed over the housing exit, the laser beam adapted to be projected through the proximal opening and through a distal opening of the interface member, the fiber optic member being disposed within the interface member and adjacent to the interface member distal opening, wherein the sampling point interface member is configured in the shape of a cone member, the cone member having an opening opposite an exit opening disposed over the housing exit. a housing configured as a handheld apparatus having an exit for electromagnetic radiation generated from within the housing; an active Q-switched OPO Nd:YAG diode pumped solid state laser module (402, 602) with a controller system (405, 605) operatively coupled thereto, the laser module (402, 602) and the controller system (405, 605) being disposed within the housing, the laser module (402, 602) configured to direct a laser beam through the exit, wherein the laser module (402, 602) operates at a power mode of about 30 watts or less; fiber optic member disposed in the housing configured to transfer light collected at a distal end of the fiber optic member from a plasma induced of a sample material by the laser beam, the fiber optic member distal end being disposed adjacent the exit; a spectrometer module (412A, 412B, 612A, 612B) disposed in the housing configured to receive light from a proximal end of the fiber optic member, and configured to produce a spectral distribution corresponding to the sample material from the received light, and a sampling point interface member with a proximal opening disposed over the housing exit, the laser beam adapted to be projected through the proximal opening and through a distal opening of the interface member, the fiber optic member being disposed within the interface member and adjacent to the interface member distal opening, wherein the sampling point interface member is configured in the shape of a cone member, the cone member having an opening opposite an exit opening disposed over the housing exit.