Effects of pulse energy ratios on plasma characteristics of dual-pulse fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced plasmas of dual-pulse fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with different pulse energy ratios are studied by using the optical emission spectroscopy(OES)and fast imaging.The energy of the two laser pulses is independently adjusted within 0–30 m J with the total energy fixed at 30 m J.The inter-pulse delay remains 450 ns constantly.As the energy share of the first pulse increases,a similar bimodal variation trend of line intensities is observed.The two peaks are obtained at the point where the first pulse is half or twice of the second one,and the maximum spectral enhancement is at the first peak.The bimodal variation trend is induced by the change in the dominated mechanism of dual-pulse excitation with the trough between the two peaks caused by the weak coupling between the two mechanisms.By increasing the first pulse energy,there is a transition from the ablation enhancement dominance near the first peak to the plasma reheating dominance near the second peak.The calculations of plasma temperature and electron number density are consistent with the bimodal trend,which have the values of 17024.47 K,2.75×10¹⁷cm;and 12215.93 K,1.17×10¹⁷cm;at a time delay of 550 ns.In addition,the difference between the two peaks decreases with time delay.With the increase in the first pulse energy share,the plasma morphology undergoes a transformation from hemispherical to shiny-dot and to oblate-cylinder structure during the second laser irradiation from the recorded images by using an intensified charge-coupled device(ICCD)camera.Correspondingly,the peak expansion distance of the plasma front first decreases significantly from 1.99 mm in the single-pulse case to 1.34 mm at 12/18(dominated by ablation enhancement)and then increases slightly with increasing the plasma reheating effect.The variations in plasma dynamics verify that the change of pulse energy ratios leads to a transformation in the dual-pulse excitation mechanism.     

Effect of parameters on Si plasma emission in collinear double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Collinear dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy was carried out on Si crystal by using a pair of nanosecond Nd:YAG laser sources emitting at 1064 nm. The spectral intensities and signalto-noise ratios of selected Si atomic and ionic lines were used to evaluate the optical emission. The optical emission intensity was recorded while varying the interpulse delay time and energy ratio of the two pulsed lasers. The effects of the data acquisition delay time on the line intensity and signal-to-noise ratio have been investigated as well. Based on the results, the optimal interpulse delay time, energy ratio of the two pulsed lasers, and data acquisition delay time for achieving the maximum atomic and ionic line intensities were found for generation of Si plasma with the collinear dual-pulse laser approach. The dominant mechanism for the observed line intensity variation was also discussed. In addition, the plasma temperature and electron number density at different gate delay times and different interpulse delay times were derived. A significant influence of plasma shielding on the electron temperature and electron number density at shorter interpulse delay times was observed.     

工作参数对激光诱导玻璃等离子体特性的影响

采用波长532 nm的Nd:YAG纳秒激光器激发诱导空气中的玻璃,由高分辨率的光谱仪和ICCD对等离子体发射光谱采集和实现光电转换.以Si I 288.20 nm、Ca II 393.37 nm两条谱线作为分析线,研究ICCD门延迟,ICCD门宽、聚焦透镜到样品表面的距离(LTSD)对等离子体信号强度和信噪比的影响,确定最优化的实验参数:ICCD门宽1400 ns,ICCD门延迟500 ns,LTSD为84.5 mm.在最优化的实验条件下以Ca元素的六条离子谱线(315.89 nm, 317.93 nm, 370.60 nm, 373.69 nm, 393.37 nm, 396.85 nm)为分析线,计算得到玻璃等离子体的电子温度和电子密度分别20060 K, 8.256×10~(16) cm~(-3).     

Effect of sample temperature on laser-induced semiconductor plasma spectroscopy

We investigate the temperature dependence of the emission spectrum of a laser-induced semiconductor(Ge and Si) plasma. The change in spectral intensity with the sample temperature indicates the change of the laser ablation mass. The reflectivity of the target surface is reduced as the sample is heated, which leads to an increase in the laser energy coupled to the surface of the sample and eventually produces a higher spectral intensity.The spectral intensities are enhanced by a few times at high temperatures compared with the cases at low temperatures. The spectral intensity of Ge is enhanced by 1.5 times at 422.66 nm, and 3 times at589.33 nm when the sample temperature increases from 50°C to 300°C. We can obtain the same emission intensity by a more powerful laser or by less pulse energy with a higher sample temperature. Based on experimental observations we conclude that the preheated sample can improve the emission intensity of laser-induced semiconductor plasma spectroscopy.     

Strong emission from nano-iron using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique

In this paper, we report a strong enhanced emission from laser produced plasma in air from iron oxide nano-material in comparison with the corresponding bulk samples. The enhancement strength differs with different Nd:YAG laser harmonics wavelengths. The analysis showed that such enhancement increased exponentially with the plasma evolution time, while it declines as the laser fluence increased. Experimental data analysis clearly showed that the observed enhancement is mainly associated with the change in the plasma electron density. We claim that this strong enhanced optical emission from laser produced plasma is due to the surface plasmon resonant excitation preferably on nano-oxide materials. Such experimental findings could improve the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy sensitivity down to extremely low concentrations.     

激光诱导Cu等离子体特性研究

实验在大气环境下测定激光诱导Cu等离子体的时间分辨发射光谱,通过对ICCD门宽、ICCD与激光脉冲延迟、增益、激光能量等参数的调节来达到最佳的时间分辨光谱.利用最佳光谱图,通过测定的光谱强度和Stark展宽计算激光诱导Cu等离子体的电子温度和电子密度,得出激光诱导Cu等离子体的电子温度和电子密度时间演化特性.结果表明在本实验条件下延时100-1000 ns范围内变化时,相应的电子温度范围为15000 K-5000 K,在200 ns-500 ns时下降的很快,在500 ns后电子温度下降的越来越平稳;延时在200-900 ns之间变化,等离子体的电子密度一直在下降,延时200-600 ns下降着延时的增加的平缓,600-900 ns下降的很快,随着时间的演化,电子密度也越来越小.     

激光诱导Ca等离子体温度的实验研究

 等离子体温度是激光诱导击穿光谱测量中一个重要的因素。采用Nd:YAG脉冲激光器作为光源击穿样品形成等离子体,其发射光谱由中阶梯光栅光谱仪和ICCD进行分光和光电转换。通过实验得出了300~450 nm波段的光谱图,定性分析出了Ca Ⅱ 315.9, 317.9, 393.4, 396.9 nm和Ca Ⅰ 422.7 nm等发射谱线。根据激光诱导击穿光谱定量公式,等离子体温度的变化对谱线强度有影响。先假设实验中等离子体处于局部热平衡状态,选用Ca的4条一价离子谱线,根据Boltzmann斜线法计算出了等离子体温度,并得到了等离子体温度与Ca质量分数的关系。随着Ca质量分数的增加,等离子体温度也相应增加。但当Ca质量分数小于0.50%时等离子体温度增加的幅度较小,而质量分数大于0.50%时等离子体温度的上升幅度相对较大。最后经过验证,实验中等离子体处于局部热平衡状态的假设成立。     

激光诱导Ca等离子体温度的实验研究

等离子体温度是激光诱导击穿光谱测量中一个重要的因素。采用Nd:YAG脉冲激光器作为光源击穿样品形成等离子体,其发射光谱由中阶梯光栅光谱仪和ICCD进行分光和光电转换。通过实验得出了300~450 nm波段的光谱图,定性分析出了Ca Ⅱ 315.9, 317.9, 393.4, 396.9 nm和Ca Ⅰ 422.7 nm等发射谱线。根据激光诱导击穿光谱定量公式,等离子体温度的变化对谱线强度有影响。先假设实验中等离子体处于局部热平衡状态,选用Ca的4条一价离子谱线,根据Boltzmann斜线法计算出了等离子体温度,并得到了等离子体温度与Ca质量分数的关系。随着Ca质量分数的增加,等离子体温度也相应增加。但当Ca质量分数小于0.50%时等离子体温度增加的幅度较小,而质量分数大于0.50%时等离子体温度的上升幅度相对较大。最后经过验证,实验中等离子体处于局部热平衡状态的假设成立。     

The role of microwaves in the enhancement of laser-induced plasma emission

We studied experimentally the effect of microwaves (MWs) on the enhancement of plasma emission achieved by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A laser plasma was generated on a calcium oxide pellet by a Nd:YAG laser (5 mJ, 532 nm, 8 ns) in reduced-pressure argon surrounding gas. A MW radiation (400 W) was injected into the laser plasma via a loop antenna placed immediately above the laser plasma to enhance the plasma emission. The results confirmed that when the electromagnetic field was introduced into the laser plasma region by the MWs, the lifetime of the plasma was extended from 50 to 500 µs, similar to the MW duration. Furthermore, the plasma temperature and electron density increased to approximately 10900 K and 1.5×10¹⁸ cm^-3, respectively and the size of the plasma emission was extended to 15 mm in diameter. As a result, the emission intensity of Ca lines obtained using LIBS with MWs was enhanced by approximately 200 times compared to the case of LIBS without MWs.     

Spectroscopic characterization of aluminum plasma using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A detailed investigation of aluminum plasma induced by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in air was performed. The emission of spectral lines arising from Al I transition at 396.07 nm, Al II transition at 358.46 nm, Al III transition at 360.72 nm and Al IV transition at 363.05 nm were well-resolved. The plasma parameters including electron temperature and electron density were determined through the Boltzmann plot method using the emission line intensities of the same ionized stages of aluminum atoms and the Stark-broadening profiles of Al II emission line, respectively. The temporal evolutions of the spectral lines belonging to atomic and ionic aluminum elements and the plasma parameters were investigated at three different laser pulse energies. Moreover, the validity of local thermodynamic equilibrium was elucidated in our experimental condition.     

Combination of spark discharge and nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

A combination of spark discharge and nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced plasma spectroscopy is investigated. Depositing Au nanoparticles at the surface of a brass target can enhance the coupling of the target and the laser. More atoms in the brass sample are excited. As a secondary excitation source, spark discharge reheats the generated plasma, which further amplifies the enhancement results of nanoparticles. The spectral intensity with the spark discharge increases more obviously with nanoparticle concentration increasing than without the spark discharge. Also, plasma temperature and electron density are calculated by the Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening. The changes in the plasma temperature and electron density are consistent with the spectral emission changes.     

Photoluminescence and terahertz emission from femtosecond laser-induced plasma channels

Luminescence as a mechanism for terahertz emission from femtosecond laser-induced plasmas is studied. By using a fully microscopic theory, Coulomb scattering between electrons and ions is shown to lead to luminescence even for a spatially homogeneous plasma. The spectral features introduced by the rod geometry of laser-induced plasma channels in air are discussed on the basis of a generalized mode-function analysis.     

Investigation on RF styrene plasma by emission spectroscopy

In order to gain an insight into the processes in an RF styrene plasma, gas phase plasmas were investigated by emission spectroscopy. The plasma reactor was a bell-jar-type chamber with two parallel plate electrodes. The measurement of plasma emission spectra was made with axial resolution. The correlations among the emission intensities of CH and C₄H₂⁺ species, the polymer deposition rate and the polymeric structure of the deposited films were studied. The proposed analysis showed that the gas flow pattern in the plasma reactor, and the difference in collisions between styrene monomer molecules and energetic free electrons occurring in the plasma region and RF sheath, made the fragments and ions produced change in the different regions, resulting in a change in polymeric structure and deposition rate of the polymer films. With increasing distance between the substrate position and the lower electrode, the deposition rate and the concentration of phenyl groups both at the polymer surface and in the bulk decreased     

Micro-pinch formation and extreme ultraviolet emission of laser-induced discharge plasma

Extreme ultraviolet(EUV) source produced by laser-induced discharge plasma(LDP) is a potential technical means in inspection and metrology. A pulsed Nd:YAG laser is focused on a tin plate to produce an initial plasma thereby triggering a discharge between high-voltage electrodes in a vacuum system. The process of micro-pinch formation during the current rising is recorded by a time-resolved intensified charge couple device camera. The evolution of electron temperature and density of LDP are obtained by optical emission spectrometry. An extreme ultraviolet spectrometer is built up to investigate the EUV spectrum of Sn LDP at 13.5 nm. The laser and discharge parameters such as laser energy, voltage, gap distance,and anode shape can influence the EUV emission.     

真空电弧等离子体发射光谱诊断

真空断路器的开断容量限制其在高压大电流开断领域的应用,获取燃弧过程中的等离子体参数对于提高真空断路器的开断容量至关重要。利用发射光谱法对真空电弧内的等离子体参数进行了诊断,研究了在不同电流幅值条件下真空电弧内电子温度、电子密度、谱线强度的轴向分布规律,结合真空电弧高速图片对真空电弧内不同粒子的扩散过程与弧柱直径之间的关系进行了分析。得到的电子温度在8000～10 000 K量级,电子密度在10¹⁹～10²⁰ m⁻³量级,电子温度与电子密度从阴极向阳极逐渐下降,同时铜原子谱线强度主要集中在两极而一价铜离子谱线强度由阴极向阳极逐渐升高。铜原子谱线强度的径向分布呈现类平顶波分布、一价铜离子谱线强度的径向分布呈现类高斯分布的特点,且铜原子的谱线范围略大于弧柱直径,一价铜离子的谱线范围略小于弧柱直径,两种粒子的扩散速度存在差异。     

Optical emission diagnostics of laser-induced plasma for diamond-like film deposition

Optical emission from a laser-induced plasma plume is recorded during KrF excimer laser ablation of graphite in a gas mixture of Ar and H₂ (3%) for deposition of diamond-like thin films. At sub-GW/cm² laser intensities the spectrum is dominated by the bands of C₂ and CN. From the band intensities, the vibrational temperatures of both radicals are calculated to be 12–15×10³ K, and their concentrations are estimated to be 5×10¹⁴ cm^–3 and 2×10¹⁴ cm^–3, respectively.     

Frequency spectrum characterization of terahertz emission from laser-induced air plasma

Terahertz （THz） emission from laser-induced air-plasma is presented. The frequency spectra of THz wave are investigated using an air-biased-coherent-detection method. The frequency spectra are measured under different pump-pulse and probe-pulse energies. The frequency pump power and we speculate it caused by collision behavior spectra become narrow with the increasing Meanwhile, the bandwidth of the frequency spectra is broadened by the increasing probe power, which can be explained by pulse compression. Based on this finding, the optimal frequency spectrum of THz can be achieved by regulating the probe and pump beam.