In this study we report on the results of experiments devoted to the depth profile analysis of zinc-coated steel samples using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. The dependence of zinc and iron emissions in three ablation atmospheres (air, argon, helium) was measured using the fundamental wavelength (1064 nm) of the Nd:YAG laser. The highest possible depth resolution was achieved by optimizing the experimental parameters, such as the delay time (which affects the tailing of the zinc emission signal), focusing conditions, energy delivered to the sample, and choice of buffer gases. Current research indicates that there is a constant need to optimize these parameters so that reliable depthprofiling analysis can be performed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.