Carbon and aluminium laser plasmas diagnostics in the VUV spectral range

The VUV radiation of the laser plasmas formed in the focus of a moderate power YAG:Nd laser on carbon and aluminium targets is studied. Diagnostics of the plasmas is possible due to experimentally shown existence of the local thermodynamic equilibrium. The electron temperature is obtained by measuring the intensity ratios of ionic lines. The electron concentration is measured utilizing the Stark broadening of aluminium lines. Mean electron density of more than 1017cm-3 was measured in the hot plasmas region which elongates up to 5 mm distance from the target surface. 13 refs