Atomic and Molecular Species Post-2 μs Dynamics in Laser-Induced Carbon Plasmas in Air

Abstract

Laser-induced carbon plasma in air undergoes various physicochemical processes that affect the kinetic chemistry of species of the plasma plume. We report the time- and space-resolved characterization of carbon plasma produced by infrared nanosecond laser into air at atmospheric pressure. Investigating the laser fluence effect highlights dissociation for fluences >40 J cm−2, and recombination processes in the fluence range of 10–40 J cm−2. Emission intensities of C2 and CN molecules undergo an enhancement at specific spatiotemporal locations in the laser-induced plasma. At a value of 27 J/cm2 and 0.8 mm from the plasma ignition, molecular band formation is favored for the specific temperature and density values of 1.7 × 1015 cm−3 and 9502 K. The vibrational temperatures of molecules are determined using nonlinear spectral data fitting program. The shock front between laser-induced carbon plasma and air may lead to a significant shock wave that affects the occurrence of molecular CN and C2 formation. This can be explained by the distinct temperatures exhibited by CN and C2 molecules with laser fluence. The atomic carbon travels farther to react and form C2, where the ionization–recombination process plays a significant role in its formation. Collisions of C with N neutrals and N2 molecules are the plausible origin of CN generation. Moreover, the density of CN in the plasma depends on C2 molecules.