Optimization of distances between the target surface and focal point on spatially confined laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with a cylindrical cavity

Abstract

The spatial confinement effect in laser-induced plasma with different distances between the target surface and focal point is investigated by optical emission spectroscopy. A Nd:YAG laser is used to produce plasma from a silicon sample in air atmosphere. When the appropriate distance is selected, the duration of spectral emission enhancement is much longer, and the enhancement effect is much stronger. The phenomenon is attributed to the aspect ratio of the lateral to axial direction of the plasma plume. The plasma plume of a large aspect ratio will interact with the reflected shockwave in a long range of delay time, leading to high particle density. This provided a better understanding about the effect of the distance between the target surface and focal point, leading to better conditions for spatially confined laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.