Dynamics and density distribution of laser-produced Al plasmas using optical interferometry and optical emission spectroscopy

•Two different diagnostic methods, optical interferometry and OES were used to investigate laser-produced Al plasmas in air at atmospheric pressure.•Three-dimensional spatial expansion profiles of the plasma plume and shock wave of laser-produced Al plasmas in air at atmospheric pressure were presented.•2D electron density distributions of Al plasmas were obtained from the spatial dependence of the refractive index of plasma.•Consistency of the results of optical interferometry and OES was verified and the advantages and disadvantages of the two diagnostic methods were discussed.