Oxidation of laser-induced plasma species in different background conditions

► Plasma mass spectrometry and plasma imaging from Lu, Lu2O3 and LuMnO3 targets. ► Comparison of the plasma composition and evolution under different background conditions. ► Mass spectrometry shows clear indications for Lu oxidation mainly in the plasma gas. ► Time and space resolved plasma imaging shows that Lu is oxidized in the shockwave mainly at later times. ► Direct observation of Lu oxidation possible with plasma imaging and complementary mass spectrometry.