Characterization of the products generated from laser ablation of Nb O using matrix isolation FTIR spectroscopy

The 532 nm laser ablation of Nb2O5 target in Ar and O2rAr ambient gas has been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. The major ablated products generated from Nb2O5 in pure Ar were found to be NbOq, NbO, NbO2, and NbOy3. With the addition of O2into ambient Ar, the absorption intensities of NbO, NbOq and NbOy3 reduced apparently along with the significant growth of O2.NbO2and a little increase of NbOy2 in the IR spectra. The formation channels of these ablated products during the laser ablation process have been discussed both in pure Ar and O2rAr. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.