Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5366100 | Applied Surface Science | 2006 | 7 Pages |
A study of VIS laser ablation of graphite, in vacuum, by using 3Â ns Nd:YAG laser radiation is reported. Nanosecond pulsed ablation gives an emission mass spectrum attributable to Cn neutral and charged particles. Mass quadrupole spectroscopy, associated to electrostatic ion deflection, allows estimation of the velocity distributions of several of these emitting species within the plume as a function of the incident laser fluence. Time gated plume imaging and microscopy measurements have been used to study the plasma composition and the deposition of thin carbon films. The multi-component structure of the plume emission is rationalized in terms of charge state, ions temperature and neutrals temperature. A special regard is given to the ion acceleration process occurring inside the plasma due to the high electrical field generated in the non-equilibrium plasma conditions. The use of nanosecond laser pulses, at fluences below 10Â J/cm2, produces interesting C-atomic emission effects, as a high ablation yield, a high fractional ionization of the plasma and presence of nanostructures deposited on near substrates.