Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
10:52
Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Two-dimensional mapping of the electron density in laser-produced plasmas
Mathew Polek1, Sivanandan S Harilal, A Hassanein
1School of Nuclear Engineering and Center for Materials under Extreme Environment, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
Applied Optics
|February 7, 2012
Summary
This study maps electron density in laser-produced aluminum plasma using 2D imaging. Radially averaged and resolved profiles show agreement at later times and distances from the target.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Background:
- Laser-produced plasmas are crucial in materials processing and fundamental research.
- Accurate electron density measurements are vital for understanding plasma dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) electron density mapping of a laser-produced aluminum plasma.
- To investigate the spatial and temporal evolution of electron density profiles.
Main Methods:
- Aluminum target irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 6 ns) in vacuum.
- Electron density estimated using Stark broadening of spectral lines.
- 2D spectral images captured with an imaging spectrograph and intensified CCD.
Main Results:
- Differences observed between radially averaged and resolved electron density profiles at early times and near the target.
- Agreement between the two measurement methods at later plasma expansion times and greater distances from the target.
Conclusions:
- The study provides detailed 2D electron density maps of laser-produced aluminum plasma.
- Methodological considerations for electron density profiling in laser-produced plasmas are highlighted.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Two-Dimensional (2D) NMR: Overview
The 1D NMR spectrum of large and complex molecules like natural products has complicated splitting patterns and overlapping signals, which can be easily interpreted using 2-dimensional (2D) NMR. Unlike 1D NMR, 2D NMR has two frequency axes that provide the coupling information between the nucleus A and nucleus B in a molecule. The process from which 2D spectra are obtained has four steps.
The first step is the preparation period, during which nucleus A is excited with a radiofrequency pulse.
The first step is the preparation period, during which nucleus A is excited with a radiofrequency pulse.
01:16Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
Confocal microscopy is an advanced microscopic technique. The prime advantage of the confocal microscope over other microscopy techniques is its ability to block the out-of-focus light from the illuminated samples using pinholes. It is widely used with fluorescence optics to obtain high-resolution, sharp contrast images. Unlike optical microscopes, confocal microscopes use a focused beam of light laser to scan the entire sample surface at different z-planes. These microscopes are, therefore,...
01:25Electric Field Lines
The three-dimensional representation of the electric field of a positive point charge requires tracing the electric field vectors, whose lengths decrease as the square of their distance from the charge and which point away from the charge at each point. This vector field is no doubt challenging to visualize. The visualization of electric fields becomes quickly intractable as the number of charges increases.
The solution to this problem is to use electric field lines, which are not vectors but...
The solution to this problem is to use electric field lines, which are not vectors but...
01:12Bewley Lattice Diagram
The Bewley lattice diagram, developed by L. V. Bewley, effectively organizes the reflections occurring during transmission-line transients. It visually represents how voltage waves propagate and reflect within a transmission line, making it easier to understand the complex interactions that occur.