Plasma properties of laser-ablated strontium target

Optical emission spectroscopy is used to characterize the laser-produced strontium plasma by using the fundamental, second, and third harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser. Variations in the electron temperature (T-e) and number density (N-e) as a function of distance, laser irradiance, and ambient gas pressure have been studied by using the emission lines of neutral strontium. In addition, absorption mechanisms responsible for the variation of the electron temperature and number density and the dependence of the spectral line intensities on the ambient gas pressure and laser irradiance are discussed. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.