Measurements of electron number density and plasma temperature using LIBS

Plasma produced by the radiation of a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser focused onto a standard aluminum alloy E311 was studied spectroscopically. The electron density was inferred by measuring the Stark broadened line profile of Cu I 324.75 nm at a distance of 1.5 mm from the target surface with the laser irradiance of 3.27 GW/cm2. The electron temperature was determined using the Boltzmann plot method with eight neutral iron lines. At the same time, the validity of the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium was discussed in light of the results obtained.