Characteristics of the aluminum alloy plasma produced by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with different irradiances

The plasma generated by 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser irradiation of aluminum alloy in air at atmospheric pressure was studied spectroscopically. The electron density inferred by measuring the Stark-broadened line profile of Si(I) 288.16 nm decreases with increasing distance from the target surface. The electron temperature was determined using the Boltzmann plot method with nine strong neutral aluminum lines. Due to the thermal conduction towards the solid target and radiative cooling of the plasma as well as conversion of thermal energy into kinetic energy, the electron temperature decreases both at the plasma edge and close to the target surface. Electron density and electron temperature were also studied as functions of laser power density. At the same time, the validity of the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium and the effect of selfabsorption were discussed in light of the results obtained.