Effect of irradiation angle on the efficiency of formation of multiply charged ions in a laser-produced plasma

Mass spectrometry is used to investigate the emission behaviour and the characteristics of multiply charged ions in a plasma produced at small angles of incidence of laser radiation ({alpha}{approx}20{sup 0}) and also at grazing incidence ({alpha}{approx}85{sup 0}). It is found that upon grazing incidence of the laser radiation onto a target, the efficiency of production of multiply charged ions is reduced compared to that for {alpha}{approx}20{sup 0}. However, this geometry of laser irradiation of solids can be used for the elemental analysis of surface layers of a sample. (interaction of laser radiation with matter. laser plasma)