Abstract:

Non-equilibrium kinetics of cluster formation has been simulated based on “hemisphere model”of laser plasma expansion. In this article, in addition to the variation of concentration and temperature caused by expansion and radiation, reactivities of different structures and structural conversions among the cluster isomers were also considered. Dissociation of the clusters in the laser plasma and productions of the cluster ions have also been included in the simulation at the first time. The simulated size distribution of carbon clusters is in good consistency with the typical mass spectrum of carbon cluster ions produced by laser ablation.

Key words: Clusters, Kinetics, Laser ablation, Size distribution