Emission analysis of expanding laser produced lithium plasma plume in presence of ambient gas

Atomic analysis of the emission from laser-produced plasma from bulk lithium (Li) block has been made. The observed changes in the emission from lithium neutral and ionic species have been explained by considering various atomic processes. We demonstrate that the excitation process in case of neutral lithium Li (I) is electron impact excitation whereas for singly ionized lithium Li (II), radiative recombination is the dominant mechanism. We also show that the ionized species are dominant in the LPP plume.