Time-resolved vibrational and rotational emission analysis of laser-produced plasma of carbon and polymers

Optical emission studies of the C-2 molecule and the CN radical in the plas ma obtained by Nd:YAG laser ablation of graphite and polymers in atmospheri c nitrogen and argon are presented. For the vibrational temperature (T-vib) determination of the plasma, the simultaneously measured band intensities of CN (Delta nu = - 1, 0) and C-2 (Delta nu = - 1, 0, - 1) (which were dete rmined by a Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer) were used, The Tvib is calculated to be 10-13 X 10(3) K. The calculation procedures an d the differences are discussed in detail. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.