Laser-Enhanced Ionization Detection in a Laser-Produced Plasma at Atmospheric Pressure: Theoretical and Experimental Considerations

The essential data of matter-laser interaction which govern the creation of the plasma are described and are shown to permit the determination of several plasma parameters. The choice of an electrical detection adapted to a continuous plasma under atmospheric pressure allows the study by analogy of the transient laser-produced plasma (LPP). Experimental results confirm that laser-enhanced ionization detection in an LPP at atmospheric pressure is not feasible because ionization is “strong” and collection is “weak.”