Laser plasma spectroscopy of Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal and alloy

Electron number density and temperature were determined from laser-induced plasmas produced by irradiating Al-Cu-Fe targets of a quasicrystal and of an alloy of similar composition. The Al(I) atomic emission spectra of the two systems were measured as a function of the distance from the target and of the time delay after laser irradiation. Differences of plasma characteristics were o served for laser ablation of quasicrystal and alloy targets, and the results were interpreted on the basis of different plasma formation mechanisms for the two systems.