Temporal and Spatial Characterizations of Zn Ions in Plasma by Pulsed-Laser Ablation of Zinc Metal in Vacuum Condition

Abstract

Plasma emission spectroscopy was used to study the evolution behavior of the Zn ions in the plasma produced by nanosecond pulsed laser beam irradiating on pure zinc metal targets. The measurements indicated that the hotter and denser region in the plasma was located at about 0.75mm from target surface and presented at delay time 250 ns with respect to the laser pulse. Compared to Zn atoms in the plasma expansion, the results reveal that Zn ions are characterized by weaker intensity in spatial profiles and shorter lifetime in temporal evolution, while, much higher brightness of Zn ions can been observed in early-state plasma emission.