Spectroscopic characterization of aluminum plasma using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A detailed investigation of aluminum plasma induced by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in air was performed. The emission of spectral lines arising from Al I transition at 396.07 nm, Al II transition at 358.46 nm, Al Ill transition at 360.72 nm and Al IV transition at 363.05 nm were well-resolved. The plasma parameters including electron temperature and electron density were determined through the Boltzmann plot method using the emission line intensities of the same ionized stages of aluminum atoms and the Stark-broadening profiles of Al II emission line, respectively. The temporal evolutions of the spectral lines belonging to atomic and ionic aluminum elements and the plasma parameters were investigated at three different laser pulse energies. Moreover, the validity of local thermodynamic equilibrium was elucidated in our experimental condition. (c) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.