skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Evolution and imaging of nanoparticles observed in laser ablated carbon plume

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3224871· OSTI ID:21361848
; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 (UP) (India)

We report evidence of nanoparticles formation in laser ablated carbon plasma created by irradiating a graphite target with nanosecond neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser. The temporal evolution and spatial distribution of C{sub 2} molecules in the plasma is studied using optical emission spectroscopy, dynamic imaging and laser induced fluorescence techniques. The laser induced fluorescence spectrum and imaging of C{sub 2} fluorescence corresponding to transition d {sup 3}PI{sub g}-a {sup 3}PI{sub u} (0, 1) (lambda=563.5 nm) is investigated by probing the expanding plume using a dye laser. The temporal evolution of ground state number density of C{sub 2} shows density varying from 2.6x10{sup 20}/m{sup 3} to 1.2x10{sup 22}/m{sup 3} on varying delay between the ablating and probe pulse from 200 to 600 ns. A peculiar bifurcation of carbon plume into two parts at approx270 ns after the formation of plasma is attributed to recombination of carbon species and formation of nanoparticles. This study may help in quantitatively understanding of formation of carbon molecular species and the nanoparticles produced in laser ablated carbon plume.

OSTI ID:
21361848
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 106, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3224871; (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English