title: Analysis of the M-shell spectra emitted by a short-pulse laser-created tantalum plasma
abstract: The spectrum of tantalum emitted by a subpicosecond laser-created plasma, was recorded in the regions of the 3d-5f, 3d-4f, and 3d-4p transitions. The main difference with a nanosecond laser-created plasma spectrum is a broad understructure appearing under the 3d-5f transitions. An interpretation of this feature as a density effect is proposed. The supertransition array model is used for interpreting the spectrum, assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) at some effective temperature. An interpretation of the 3d-4f spectrum using the more detailed unresolved transition array formalism, which does not assume LTE, is also proposed. Fitted contributions of the different ionic species differ slightly from the LTE-predicted values.
authors.affiliation: CEA/DIF/DCSA, Boiinsertion markte Postale 12, 91680 Bruyeres-le-Chatel, France.
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busquet
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.lastname: Coinsertion Markte CY
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kieffer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klapisch
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bar-Shalom
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bauche-Arnoult
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachelier