Colliding laser produced plasmas as novel sources: Optical diagnostics

We have developed a new laboratory facility to investigate and explore the potential applications of colliding laser produced plasmas. Specifically we have employed optical diagnostics such as laser interferometry, spectrally resolved fast photography and optical emission spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of the collisions between electrons, atoms and ions. Very different collisional behaviors are observed for the different plasma constituents. We present first results on work aimed at exploiting the stagnation layer created at the collision front between the two plasmas as a new optimised source of nano-particles/clusters. A substantial increase in nano-particle deposition is observed with the presence of the stagnation layer.