The photoabsorption spectrum of a tin laser-produced plasma has been record
ed in the 23-33 eV region using the dual laser plasma technique. 4d --> 5p
transitions from the 4d(10)5s(2)5p ground state of Sn ii and from the 4d(10
)5s(2) ground and 4d(10)5s5p excited states of Sn III were observed and new
features identified with the aid of multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock calcul
ations. The relative intensities of transitions in Sn lu indicate a departu
re from local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions in the absorbing plasma.