Time resolved optical emission spectroscopy is employed to study the e
xpansion dynamics of C-2 species in a graphite plasma produced during
the Nd:YAG ablation. At low laser fluences a single peak distribution
with low kinetic energy is observed. At higher fluences a twin peak di
stribution is found. It has been noted that these double peak time of
flight distribution splits into a triple peak structure at distances g
reater than or equal to 17 mm from the target surface. The reason for
the occurrence of multiple peak is due to different formation mechanis
ms of C-2 species.