Study of a colliding laser-produced plasma by analysis of time- and space-resolved image spectra

The interaction of two counterpropagating laser-produced plasmas was studied using simultaneous imaging and spectroscopic techniques. Spectrally filtered time-gated intensified charge coupled device imaging was used to obtain information about the spatial dynamics and temporal evolution of the collision process, while time-resolved imaging spectroscopy was used to determine the spatial and temporal distributions of electron temperature and density within the interaction region. We examine specifically the interaction of plasmas whose parameters match those typically used in pulsed laser deposition of thin films. These low temperature plasmas are highly collisional leading to the creation of a pronounced stagnation layer in the interaction region.