Angular distribution of electron temperature and density in a laser-ablation plume

The angular distribution of electron temperature and density in a laser-abl ation plume has been studied for the first time. The electron temperature r anges from 0.1 to 0.5 eV and is only weakly dependent on the angle in the l ow-intensity range studied here. In contrast, the typical ion energy is abo ut 2 orders of magnitude larger, and its angular distribution is mon peaked about the target normal. The derived Values of the electron density are in agreement with the measured values of ion density.