Transport of neutral atoms, monoxides and clusters in the plume produced by laser ablation of YBa_2Cu_3O_7-x in oxygen environment

摘要

The dynamics of various neutral particles during laser ablation of YBa_2Cu_3O_7-x in the O_2 ambient gas is investigated using post ablation ionization mass spectrometry in combination with molecular beam technique. The O_2 environment is found to favor oxide cluster formation in the ablation plume. The pressure above approx 100 mTorr results in a pulsating character of the plume expansion within a finite propagation distance.