Langmuir Probe Characterization of Spatially Confined Laser-Ablated Iron Plasma Along With Surface Modifications

The spatial confinement effect on the laser-induced plasma parameters and surface modifications of iron (Fe) has been investigated. The Fe plasma has been generated under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) condition by employing Nd: YAG (532 nm, 6 ns) laser at different laser irradiances ranging from 3.3 to 10 GWcm
$^{-2}$
. Two important Fe plasma parameters, i.e., electron temperature ranging from 13 to 27 eV and electron number density ranging from
$1.92\times 10^{15}$
cm
$^{-3}$
to
$4.60\times 10^{15}$
cm
$^{-3}$
, are evaluated by employing Langmuir probe (LP) as diagnostic technique. The probe was placed at a distance of 1 cm from target. Both plasma parameters are found to be influenced by laser irradiances and spatial confinement. They increase with the increase in laser irradiances both in the presence and absence of metallic blockers. However, it is revealed that the values of both plasma parameters are slightly higher in the presence of blocker as compared to blocker-free case. The percentage increase in electron temperature varies from 10% to 15%, whereas percentage increase in electron density varies from 11% to 25%. These percentage increase in the values of Fe plasma parameters exceeds the limits of experimental errors (±2). Therefore, the role of spatial confinement via metallic blocker for the enhancement of plasma parameters is confirmed and is attributed to the reflection of shockwaves from the blocker. The surface modifications of laser irradiated Fe have been explored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Various features, such as ripples, ridges, and cones, have been observed on the surfaces of ablated Fe. More pronounced, organized, and fine structures are grown on the Fe surface in the presence of blocker at lower irradiances than the blocker-free case due to spatial confinement effect. The growth of ripples is attributed to Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities. PACS: 61.80.Ba, 52.50. −b, 52.50.Jm, 52.50.Lp, 52.35.Tc, 35 52.38., 52.38.Dx.