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Title: Dynamics of laser-ablated carbon plasma: formation of C2 and CN

Journal Article · · Applied Optics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.47.000G65· OSTI ID:21175729

We report time-resolved imaging of a laser-ablated carbon plasma plume to investigate the expansion dynamics of C2 and CN in an ambient atmosphere of nitrogen gas at various pressures. An attempt is made to locate C2 and CN species in the carbon plasma plume and correlate them with the results of spectroscopic observations. The ablated C2 and CN species decelerate due to collisions with nitrogen gas and are localized in the slower part ({approx}300 ns) of the expanding plume. Further expansion (<700 ns) of the plasma reveals the concentration of C2 species on the periphery of the plume, whereas CN dominates at the core of the plume. However, at times greater than 700 ns, the collisions and recombination processes dominate in the plume and C2 expands slower than CN. The plume dynamics is studied in terms of shock-wave and drag models.

OSTI ID:
21175729
Journal Information:
Applied Optics, Vol. 47, Issue 31; Other Information: DOI: 10.1364/AO.47.000G65; (c) 2008 Optical Society of America; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6935
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English