ABSTRACT
In this entry, the plasma generated by the laser–matter interaction is discussed by a fundamental point of view, and some of the most important applications are briefly presented. Laser-induced plasma (LIP) is a transient plasma, and its parameters (e.g., electron number density and temperature) change dramatically as a consequence of the fast expansion after the laser ablation process. In order to give a simple description of the phenomena occurring in LIP during the expansion, three ranges of electron number density values have been outlined. Finally, some specific applications, such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, pulsed laser ablation for materials production (pulsed laser deposition and pulsed laser ablation in liquid), laser propulsion, and laser ignition, have been correlated to the plasma fundamental aspects with the aim of illustrating the flexibility of this kind of plasmas in modern technology.
