Dynamics of the multispecies colliding plasmas of different atomic masses.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Mondal, Alamgir; Kumar, Bhupesh; Singh, R K; Joshi, H C
- Source
- Pramana: Journal of Physics. Dec2021, Vol. 95 Issue 4, p1-7. 7p.
- Subject
- *ATOMIC mass
*THIN film deposition
*PLASMA density
*ND-YAG lasers
*LASER plasmas
*THIN films
*PLUMES (Fluid dynamics)
- Language
- ISSN
- 0304-4289
Laser-produced plasma plumes and the subsequent interaction zone of multispecies colliding plasmas have been investigated in vacuum (at 5 × 10 - 7 mbar) by using Nd:YAG nanosecond laser as the energy source. The key features such as shape, size, expansion dynamics of the primary plumes and the resulting interaction zone have been examined by using a combination of solid targets (e.g. Al–Ni and Al–W) with different atomic masses. Fast imaging technique has been utilised to visualise the formation and expansion dynamics of the primary plasma plumes as well as the interaction zone. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is used to estimate the electron temperature and density of the plasma plumes. Optical time of flight has been used to get the velocity of ion and neutral particles in the plasma plume. Time-resolved images of plumes show significant differences depending on the target materials and energy of the two beams. We have observed that the primary plasma plumes with non-uniform expansion velocity produces interaction zone which expands at an angle in vacuum. Optimisation of laser energy imbalance has been done based on fast imaging results for the targets of different elements. These experimental findings can have important roles in the generation of multispecies plasma plumes and to control their species contribution in different applications, e.g. thin film deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]