Energy distribution of ions produced by laser ablation of silver in vacuum

► The ion dynamics of the laser produced plasma of a silver target in vacuum was monitored using ion probes. ► The energy tail of ions close to the normal extends up to 500 eV and beyond. ► With increasing angle, the kinetic energy tail of the particles decreases below 100 eV. ► Ions in the plume from heavy, elemental targets exhibit a TOF-distribution shifted toward longer times.