Self-absorbed Al lines in laser-induced plasma

Self-reversed line profiles of Al 3s(2)3p -> 3s(2)4s transitions in a laser ablation plasma are considered following plasma initiation on the surface of an Al alloy target. Experimental self-absorption correction factors are tabulated by measuring plasma line profiles with and without its reflection using the mirror duplication method. At a delay of 60 ns, measured line profiles 0.5 mm from the Al surface show self-reversed line profiles. Corrected line widths are determined to be 1.1 +/- 0.2 and 1.7 +/- 0.2 nm for the 394.4 and 396.15 nm lines, respectively, following fitting with a Voigt line profile. N-e are determined to be 3.8 +/- 0.4 and 10 +/- 1x10 18 cm(-3), respectively.