Papers
2
Total Citations
15
H-Index
2
About
R. Fantoni is a leading figure in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and its application to extreme environments, particularly fusion energy research and planetary exploration. Her most impactful work focuses on developing in-situ LIBS techniques for quantifying hydrogen isotopes—a critical challenge for monitoring tritium retention in fusion reactor walls. Her 2021 paper on accessory laboratory measurements for robotic-arm LIBS inside fusion vessels, with 13 citations, provides foundational protocols for real-time fuel-cycle diagnostics in devices like ITER. Fantoni also made pioneering contributions to polar robotics, notably through her work on the RAS (Robot Antartico di Superficie), where she led the design of its sensing subsystem. This system, detailed in her 2003 paper, enabled autonomous navigation and hazard detection—such as crevasses and sastrugi—in Antarctica’s hostile terrain, demonstrating robust sensor fusion for unknown environments. Her career bridges fundamental plasma diagnostics and field robotics, showcasing LIBS as a versatile tool for both terrestrial and fusion applications. Fantoni’s research continues to shape how we deploy spectroscopic sensors in remote, high-stakes settings, from the Antarctic ice to the burning plasma of a tokamak.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2The Sensing Subsystem of RAS2 citations · 2003