Laser ablation plasma expansion using microwaves

Ikeda, Yuji*; Soriano, J. K.*; Oba, Hironori  ; Wakaida, Ikuo  

This study explores the potential of utilizing microwaves to sustain the expansion of transient laser ablation plasma of Zr target. By application of microwaves on the plasma, significant enhancement with a two to three order of magnitude increase in the plasma emission intensity was observed. It was investigated that the electron temperature decreased from 10,000 K to 3000 K with volume expansion owing to increased surrounding air interaction, while the plasma can be sustained in air by using microwaves. These results emphasize the contribution of microwaves in promoting enhanced emission and plasma formation at controlled, low temperature, thereby demonstrating the potential of microwaves to enhance the accuracy and performance of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. These also mitigate the generation of toxic fumes and dust during ablation, a critical benefit when handling hazardous materials such as radioactive nuclear fuel debris in the decommissioning of accident nuclear power station.