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

Abstract
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.