Laser plasma plume kinetic spectroscopy of the nitrogen and carbon species

The formation and decay of carbon and nitrogen atoms, CN radicals and C₂ molecules were monitored using spatial‐ and time‐resolved emission spectroscopy in a plasma plume formed during laser ablation of a graphite target in nitrogen atmosphere. A simple exponential model was used to explain the effect of the individual chemical reactions and plasma dynamics on the measured kinetic characteristics. The succession of emissions C → N → CN was observed in the time‐resolved spectra, supporting the suggestion that the CN radical is formed mainly by the direct reaction C + N → CN or C₂ + N₂ → 2CN. The formation of CN radical was enhanced by the additional generation of atomic nitrogen through the RF discharge. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)