Space-and time-resolved optical investigations on ns-laser produced plasmas on various geological samples

Experimental and theoretical investigations were performed on transient plasmas generated by ns-laser ablation on ten mineral samples. Space-and time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy and ICCD fast camera imaging were implemented to understand the kinetics of the ablated particles and how the samples physical properties can be reflected by those of the plasma plume. Strong correlations were found between the global and individual plasma velocity and the melting temperature of the geomaterials. The thermal energy of the plasma expressed through the excitation temperature of the ejected particle is correlated with the same target physical parameter, results corelated with the presence of strong thermal ejection mechanisms. To better understand the global empirical laws, we implemented the fractal model to interpret the results. The model manages to emulate the target-plasma correlations using a multifractal hydrodynamic approach and adequately calibrating the theoretical model on the empirical tools used to describe the laser produced plasmas. [Display omitted] •Space and time resolved measurements of ns-laser produced plasmas various geomaterials.•First empirical correlations between the properties of the geomaterials and laser produced plasmas.•Development of a fractal mathematical model for simulating geomaterial-plasma laws