Time-of-flight and UV spectroscopy characterization of laser-generated plasma

A study of laser ablation of different targets (Al, Ti, Mo, Au and polyethylene), in vacuum, by using 3 ns Nd:YAG laser radiation, at 1064 nm wavelength, is reported. The ion emission from the plasma was monitored through time-of-flight (TOF) measurements, performed by using an ion collector placed along the normal to the target surface. The deconvolution of the IC experimental spectra with a Coulomb–Boltzmann-shifted function permitted to evaluate the equivalent ion temperature and the acceleration voltage developed inside the non-equilibrium plasma.The UV plasma emission, detected with an optical spectroscope, permitted to estimate the electronic temperature and density, to evaluate the Debye length and the temperature gradient in the laser-generated plasma plume.