Temporal analysis of self-reversed Ag I resonant lines in LIBS experiment at different laser pulse energy and in different surrounding media

In this work we studied the temporal evolution of the resonant emission lines of neutral silver (Ag I) at wavelengths 328.9 nm and 338.2 nm, in different surrounding media (He, Ar, Xe and air) and at different laser pulse energy (15 mJ, 30 mJ and 60 mJ), using a frequency triplicated Nd:YAG laser (355 nm). We observed that the self-reversal of the Ag lines, caused by the combined effect of self-absorption and plasma inhomogeneity, is strong when the plasma expands in molecular gases (N 2 and O 2 in air) while is negligible in atomic noble gases (He, Ar, Xe), independently on the mass of the atoms. From the experimental data, we also conclude that the shock wave generated during the breakdown may play an important role in generating the plasma inhomogeneities which are essential conditions for the occurrence of the self-reversal effect. • The self-reversal of resonant Ag I lines was studied by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. • Molecular (air) and atomic (He, Ar, Xe) ambient gases were used. • The laser pulse energy was varied between 15, 30 and 60 mJ. • Self-reversal of the Ag emission lines is only evident in air at energies lower than 60 mJ.