Shadowgraphic and emission imaging spectroscopic studies of the laser ablation of graphite in an Ar gas atmosphere

Laser ablation of graphite in an Ar atmosphere at 560 Torr was done using a nanosecond-pulse Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) at a fluence of 12 J/cm(2). Dynamics in the ejection of carbon species and in their confinement near the graphite surface (< 1 mm) due to their numerous collisions with Ar atoms were investigated by shadowgraphy, emission imaging, and emission spectroscopy at delay times of 0.01-100 mu s following the laser irradiation. A shock wave was generated, and temporally and spatially dependent emissions from Ar+ and Ar were observed in addition to those from carbon species (C, C+, and C-2) and the Bremsstrahlung radiation from a hot plasma. We suggest that the dissipation of the kinetic and thermal energies of the carbon species, their backward motion, and their collisions with each other lead to the formation of clusters and particles through the interaction with Ar atoms.