Laser Ablation in the Synthesis of Zirconium Oxide

Results of an experimental study of the oxidation of a zirconium plasma generated by laser ablation of a metallic target under low pressures of oxygen are presented. The crystallographic identification of the collected product by electronic diffraction shows metastable ZrO cubic phase. The oxidation phenomena are interpreted by thermochemical simulation suggesting a model in accordance with other cases of synthesis of metastable oxides at high temperatures, such as plasma reactors.