Spatial distribution of carbon species in laser ablation of graphite target

The spatial distribution of carbon species produced by laser ablation of a graphite target was studied using laser induced fluorescence imaging and optical emission spectroscopy. Two-dimensional fluorescence of ambient gases at various pressures, laser fluences and ablation area were used to measure spatial density profiles of C₂. The yield of C₂ was large at center of the plume and near the target surface while that of C₃ in argon gas increased at higher gas pressure and longer delay times after ablation.