Structure and Expansion of a Plume Emitted During Laser Ablation of Multicomponent Materials

Abstract

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a technique frequently used for creating thin films of various materials on solid substrates. High-energy laser pulse causes evaporation of the target material, forming a plume which subsequently expands and moves with high speed from the target. Thin film of the evaporated material is deposited on the substrate placed at some distance in front of the target.