Time-resolved formation of uranium and silicon oxides subsequent to the laser ablation of U3Si2

Abstract The early-time kinetic behavior of species in a plume produced from laser ablation of U3Si2 in an environment containing 2% O2 is characterized using time-resolved absorption spectroscopy. The UO band around 593.55 nm and the SiO band around 230 nm is observed as well as various atomic and ionic uranium transitions. Temperatures and concentrations of these species are tracked and reported as well.