Aerosol Formation During Laser Ablation in a Magnetic Field.

Data on the particle size distribution of Al2O3, Zr2O3, and ChS-68 nonmagnetic steel dispersed particles formed from laser plasma in a weak magnetic field are presented. It was found that dispersed particles formed in a magnetic field have sharper edges and smaller sizes than without a magnetic field. A model of physicochemical processes that explains this result is presented. It is shown that the formation probability of a singlet pair of electrons of unpaired electrons of an adsorbed atom and an atom on the surface of a dispersed particle in the first collision increases in a magnetic field. Therefore, in a magnetic field, condensation nuclei form faster and diameter growth of the dispersed particles is greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]