Spectroscopic studies of tin plasma using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced Sn plasma generated at different laser intensities has been characterized using visible emission spectroscopy. A CO2 laser pulse 85 ns in duration is used to generate plasma from a planar Sn sample in a vacuum of 10?5 torr. The plasma electron temperature is inferred by the Boltzmann plot method from singly ionized Sn emission lines, and plasma electron density is inferred using Stark broadened profiles. Electron temperature is measured in the range of (0.53 ? 1.28) eV, and electron density is measured in the range of (9.19?1015 ? 7.45?1016) cm?3, as the laser intensity is varied from (1?1010 to 2.5?1010) W/cm2. The plasma shielding effect has been observed within the laser intensities of (2?1010 ? 2.5?1010) W/cm2.