Analysis of extreme ultraviolet radiation and hydrodynamics simulation at the core of laser-produced nickel plasmas.

The non-uniformity and transient nature of laser-produced plasma are critical factors that affect the analysis of the extreme ultraviolet spectra of highly charged ions and the diagnosis of plasma states. This paper systematically investigates the characteristics of extreme ultraviolet radiation and the hydrodynamic evolution of laser-produced nickel plasmas from two perspectives: high-spatio-temporal-resolution extreme-ultraviolet spectroscopic measurement and radiation hydrodynamics simulation. The consistency between the four-band experimental spectra and their theoretically simulated spectra confirms the accuracy of the atomic structure parameters and plasma state parameters. We also analyze the significant contribution of the 3d-4f double-excited state radiation to the spectral profile and discuss the influence of the self-absorption caused by plasma opacity on the characteristics of extreme ultraviolet radiation. The findings are crucial for accurately understanding the characteristics of extreme ultraviolet radiation, the hydrodynamic evolution, and the application of medium- and high-Z laser-produced plasma as a pulsed short-wavelength light source.

Reconstruction and analysis of transient evolution images of laser-produced plasma plumes.

We introduce a method for the analysis and simulation of transient images of laser-produced plasma (LPP) plumes. This method comprises three steps: (i) calculating the two-dimensional distribution of plasma parameters using a radiation hydrodynamics model, (ii) constructing radiation paths through ray tracing, and (iii) solving the radiation transport equation along these paths. In our simulations, we have meticulously considered factors that could influence the imaging results, including the quantum efficiency to different radiation wavelengths, the imaging lens' transmittance, the target surface's reflectivity, and the absorption, emission, and scattering quantum effect of the detector processes occurring in the plasma. We applied this method to analyze and simulate the transient images of aluminum plasma plumes in a background air environment at a pressure of 2000 Pa. The results demonstrate that our method not only produces simulated images that align with experimental results but also provides a reliable distribution of plasma state parameters and clearly identifies the ion species radiating in different bands. Given its capability in transient image reconstruction and its adaptability as a tool for spectral simulation and analysis of LPPs, we believe this method holds significant potential for spectral diagnostics in fields such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, extreme ultraviolet lithography sources, and high-energy-density physics, among others.

Real optical imaging simulation of laser-produced aluminum plasmas.

We developed a post-processing optical imaging model based on two-dimensional axisymmetric radiation hydrodynamics. Simulation and program benchmarks were performed using laser-produced Al plasma optical images obtained via transient imaging. The emission profiles of a laser-produced Al plasma plume in air at atmospheric pressure were reproduced, and the influence of plasma state parameters on radiation characteristics were clarified. In this model, the radiation transport equation is solved on the real optical path, which is mainly used to study the radiation of luminescent particles during plasma expansion. The model outputs consist of the electron temperature, particle density, charge distribution, absorption coefficient, and corresponding spatio-temporal evolution of the optical radiation profile. The model helps with understanding element detection and quantitative analysis of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Dynamics characteristics of highly-charged ions in laser-produced SiC plasmas.

The radiation and dynamic properties of C VI, C V, Si VI and Si V ions from laser-produced SiC plasmas in a vacuum are studied both experimentally and theoretically. The EUV emission spectra of SiC plasmas are measured using the spatio-temporally resolved laser-produced plasma spectroscopy technique. To explore the dynamic evolution of highly-charged ions in such plasmas, an extended radiation hydrodynamics model is developed. The comparison of theoretical and experimental time-space evolved spectral profiles provides the temporal evolution of plasma temperature and electron density, the distribution of various transient ions and their velocities. The results show that the present radiation hydrodynamics model for a multi-element target reflects the dynamic evolution processes of their laser-produced plasmas, which make it an effective tool for plasma diagnostics.

Radiation properties and hydrodynamics evolution of highly charged ions in laser-produced silicon plasma.

We present a simplified radiation hydrodynamic model based on the fluid dynamic equations and the radiative transfer equation, which can be used to investigate the radiation properties and dynamics evolution of highly charged ions in a laser-produced plasma in vacuum. The outputs of the model consist of the evolution of the electron temperature, atom, and ion density, and the temporal and spatial evolution of various transient particles in plasma, as well as the simulated spectrum related to certain experimental conditions in a specified spectral window. In order to test the model and provide valuable experimental feedback, a series of EUV emission spectra of silicon plasmas have been measured using the spatio-temporally resolved laser produced plasma technique. The temporal and spatial evolution of the plasma is reliably reconstructed by using this model.

Theoretical study on structures and bond properties of NpO2(m+) ions and NpO2(H2O)n(m+) (m = 1-2, n = 1-6) complexes in the gas phase and aqueous solution.

The equilibrium structures, vibrational frequencies, and bond characteristics of NpO2(m+) ions and NpO2(H2O)n(m+) (m = 1-2, n = 1-6) complexes have been studied by carrying out ab initio calculations in the gas phase and aqueous solution. The geometries have been obtained at the B3LYP level with the use of the polarized continuum model (PCM). The computed structural parameters that are in reasonably good agreement with the available data show that the solvation effect leads to a red shift of the IR spectra and the weakness of interaction strengths in neptunyl ions. By comparing the structural properties and the density of states (DOS) of these aqua complexes in the gas phase and aqueous solution, it is found that the solvation effect can be simulated approximately with the calculations of these aqua complexes in the gas phase. In addition, the DOS of these aqua complexes together with the binding energies between the neptunyl ion and water molecule reveal that the penta-aqua complex is preferred for neptunyl ions in aqueous solution.

[Spectroscopic study of laser induced breakdown plasma spectroscopy in air and semi-empirical simulation].

A laser induced breakdown spectroscopy experiment was carried out using Nd:YAG laser in air, and time-resolved spectra were measured. Based on local thermodynamic equilibrium assumption, a method used to simulate LIBS spectra is proposed. A LIBS spectrum of air in the wavelength range of 700~900 nm was simulated using this method. A good agreement between experiment and simulation was obtained, and moreover, the relative concentrations of the N, O and Ar in air were obtained.

A potential method to determine pigment particle size on ancient murals using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and chemometric analysis.

Information on pigment sizes in mural samples is a key factor in determining the suitable processes of possible restoration and conservation on ancient murals and is also significant for the investigation of a mural's historic value and analysis of its technical process. Thus, in this paper, the green painted layers composed of different pigment sizes were analyzed by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. First, a parametric study was undertaken to optimize the LIBS signal to noise ratio and decrease fluctuations. Then, the variation of LIBS signal with pigment size was studied on simulated mural samples. Finally, a classifiable model of pigment sizes was built by coupling with the PCA method and was successfully applied to classify pigment sizes on real mural pieces.

Ionization potentials, electron affinities, resonance excitation energies, oscillator strengths, and ionic radii of element Uus (Z = 117) and astatine.

Multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method was employed to calculate the first five ionization potentials, electron affinities, resonance excitation energies, oscillator strengths, and radii for the element Uus and its homologue At. Main valence correlation effects were taken into account. The Breit interaction and QED effects were also estimated. The uncertainties of calculated IPs, EAs, and IR for Uus and At were reduced through an extrapolation procedure. The good consistency with available experimental and other theoretical values demonstrates the validity of the present results. These theoretical data therefore can be used to predict some unknown physicochemical properties of element Uus, Astatine, and their compounds.