Optical emission spectroscopic studies on laser ablated TiO2 plasma

Optical emission spectroscopic investigations of the plasma produced during Nd:YAG laser ablation of sintered TiO₂ targets, in oxygen and argon gas environments are reported. The spatial variations of electron temperature (T_e) and electron number density (N_e) are studied. The effect of oxygen/argon pressure on electron temperature (T_e) and electron number density (N_e) is presented. The kinematics of the emitted particles and expansion of plume edge are discussed. Spatio-temporal variations of various species in TiO₂ plasma were recorded and corresponding velocities were calculated. The effect of oxygen pressure on intensity of neutral/ion species and their corresponding velocities is also reported.