Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS) is an atomic emission spectroscopy technique used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements, which can easily and quickly detect multiple elements. It does not require sample preparation and achieves almost non-destructive, fast, and full element analysis safely. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for the detection of lightweight elements. The analytical capabilities of LIBS technology in different types of heritage fields are summarized, which briefly describes the basic principles and components of the equipment of this technology. LIBS could provide inspiring cases in different problems and become a beneficial tool for element characterization in the field of cultural heritage, which helps to solve the problems in element analysis in China and has certain promotion value. LIBS is a kind of laser ablation to form the plasma to analyze the substance. When atoms, ions, or molecules exist an excited state to transfer to lower energy levels or ground states, they will emit photons of specific energy to form characteristic spectra to obtain the chemical composition or other characteristics of the substance. It is considered an optical microprobe technology that has been used in various analytical applications for qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative analysis of materials. The advantages of this technology are: 1) it could analyze the material in different states (such as solid, gas, liquid, and suspended particles) and also perform elemental analysis on harder materials; 2) LIBS could analyze all elements in the periodic table; 3) No pre-treatment is required for the substance, allowing for in-situ analysis with a small sample size and minimal damage to the test substance; 4) The rapid of the test is fast, and the data analysis is easy. At the same time, it could achieve online and real-time analysis. It can not only qualitatively analyze data, but also quantitatively analyze data; 5) For layered substances, it could analyze layer by layer. Based on these advantages, LIBS is widely used in fields such as aerospace, military security, environmental monitoring, and cultural heritage. The application case of LIBS including the pigment, ceramic, stone, metal and so on are summarized. The IESL-FORTH has been applying LIBS technology to the field of cultural heritage protection for over 20 years and has analyzed many cases. Initially, LIBS technology was applied as a monitoring method for laser cleaning in the field of cultural relic protection. Since 2001, LIBS technology has been used for pigment analysis. Pigments are the most important component of all artistic works of painting, including paintings, murals, handmade picture books, colored sculptures, etc. Identifying the composition of pigments used in painting art works has important research significance for the artistic characteristics. It can also provide reference for the composition of art works that need to be repaired.In China, there are few departments to study the application of the LIBS. The possible reason is that LIBS has a little damage to the cultural relics. But this technology has been widely used in the foreign country to analyze the composition of the cultural relics. The specific case is as followings: Copy of Palma Vecchio's "La Bella", French miniature painting (19th century AD), LIBS spectrum of light green paint on wall painting, the campaign at the church of St George, the Historical Museum of Crete, the conservation laboratory of the Heraklion Ephorate of Antiquities, Minoan polychromed sherd, Byzantine glazed ceramic sherd, Minoan metal samples, Byzantine metal ring, Minoan metal chisel, Minoan golden bead, ceramic sample D29 and fragment of Roman sculpture, Castello Svevo, and so on. LIBS technology, as an emerging technology, has made rapid progress with the development of science and technology. And it has a certain theoretical basis and application cases in various industries. Foreign literature shows that there are many cases of applying LIBS technology to the field of cultural heritage, but there are few cases in China. However, applying this technology to the field of cultural heritage is effective and feasible. LIBS is an element detection method that is almost lossless or minimally lossy. Its advantages include no need for sample preparation, fast and safe operation, and the ability to achieve full element analysis. This article mainly discusses the application of LIBS technology in the field of cultural heritage from two aspects: firstly, the principle and basic equipment composition of LIBS. Secondly, typical application cases of LIBS are in different types of cultural relics. Thirdly, use LIBS technology as an evaluation tool for laser cleaning technology.