Spectral simulation of laser ablated magnesium plasmas

We describe a collisional-radiative equilibrium model for predicting the op tical emission spectrum of low-temperature magnesium plasmas, specifically those created by laser ablation. In the model, levels are populated by a ba lance of collisional and radiative rates. We include Stark widths of lines and trapping of radiation in the calculations. By use of this model we disc uss various issues of importance in spectral analysis of laser ablated plas ma plumes, such as the partial local thermodynamic equilibrium approximatio n, line trapping and time dependence.