Working medium supply systems for laser plasma generators

Abstract

Despite large number of papers devoted to laser-induced plasma, there are very few studies on working medium supply systems application in laser plasma generators. At the same time, a number of technologies require stable, ultra-fine working medium supply; high reliability and lifetime; compactness; low energy consumption; ability to change medium; possibility of additional impact on working medium and plasma plume. As a result of the analysis of solid and liquid working media supply and dosing systems, it becomes obvious that combination of their advantages and partial elimination of disadvantages is possible using systems in which transfer, supply and dosing are carried out in liquid state, and immediately before the impact, there is an increase in their viscosity or solidification due to physical or chemical processes. There are no practical restrictions for specific parameters matching (single dose size, dosing stability, frequency of sampling, integral mass flow, lifetime), but number of options satisfying multiple, and often conflicting, requirements simultaneously (including weight and size) is limited.