Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS)is an analysis technique based on the elements of atomic emission spectroscopy，which attributes fast，real-time，non-destructive，in-situ etc.This paper focuses on the fast evaluation characteristic of LIBS and reviews the applications of LIBS，including industry，agriculture，medicine，environment，art and archeology，remote sensing and stand-off.Finally，future application prospects of the LIBS in potential fields are presented，especially in Chinese materia medica.