Phosphorus cluster production by laser ablation

TL;DR

This study investigates phosphorus cluster production via pulsed laser ablation at different wavelengths, analyzing their size distribution and producing nanocrystalline phosphorus films, revealing wavelength-dependent cluster formation patterns.

Contribution

It provides new insights into phosphorus cluster formation mechanisms and demonstrates nanocrystalline phosphorus film synthesis using laser ablation in helium gas.

Findings

Neutral clusters are even-numbered with maxima at n=10 and 14.

Cationic and anionic clusters are predominantly odd-numbered.

Wavelength influences cluster abundance and composition.

Abstract

Neutral and charged phosphorus clusters of a wide size range have been produced by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) in vacuum at 532, 337, and 193 nm ablating wavelengths and investigated by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The neutral P_n clusters are even-numbered with local abundance maxima at n = 10 and 14, while the cationic and anionic clusters are preferentially odd-numbered with (P_7)+, (P_21)+, and (P_17)- being the most abundant ions. The dominance of the magic clusters is more pronounced at 337-nm ablation that is explained by efficient direct ejection of their building blocks under these conditions. Nanocrystalline phosphorus films have been produced by PLA in ambient helium gas.