A comparative study of the ArF laser-ablation-induced plasma plume of Y, YO, Cu, CuO, YCuO and YBaCuO by fluorescence spectroscopy

The fluorescence emission spectra from the plasma plume induced by ArF excimer laser irradiation of YBa2Cu3O7-x, Y, YO, Cu, CuO and YCuO were studied. Based on a comparison with the spectra obtained for the different materials, the peaks in the spectrum obtained for YBa2Cu3O7-x were assigned. The only oxide species detected was YO. Spatially resolved measurements from the plasma plume emanating from the irradiated YBa2Cu3O7-x sample were performed. Based on these experiments possible chemical reactions taking place in the plasma are considered.