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.