Laser-induced incandescence applied to metal nanostructures.

Laser-induced incandescence is both characterized and demonstrated for the measurement of metal nanoparticle concentration. Reported are the results of an initial characterization of the spectral and temporal signature of the laser-induced incandescence as a function of the excitation laser fluence and wavelength. Validation of the incandescence as a measure of the concentration is demonstrated by absorption measurements. Fluence dependence measurements are also presented. Double-pulse measurements determine the fluence for the onset of vaporization-induced mass loss. Comparisons between the present observations and those for carbon nanostructures are also made. Metals tested include (in order of increasing vaporization temperature) Fe, Ti, Mo, and W.