The amount and properties of ions produced by laser ablation of Ag targets
have been analyzed. The maximum ion current density j(max)=21.0 mA and maxi
mum charge state Ar37+ of the ions produced by a laser power density of abo
ut 1x10(14) W cm(-2) at 1.315 and 0.657 mu m on an Ag target have been dete
rmined. Direct implantation of the Ag ions from the laser-produced plasma h
as also been studied. An implanted ion density of 3.5x10(16) cm(-2) at a de
pth of 500 nm in Al samples was determined by RBS. (C) 2000 American Instit
ute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)63302-6].