Laser-induced emission of neutral atoms and molecules from electron-irradiated NaNO3

We report measurements of the neutral NO, O2, and Na emissions accompanying pulsed laser irradiation of single crystal NaNO3 at 248 nm as a function of exposure to 2500 eV electrons. Electron irradiation strongly enhances the emission intensities, allowing for observable emissions at much lower laser fluences. We present preliminary results on the dependence of these emissions on electron dose and laser fluence and employ time-of-flight measurements to determine the peak surface temperature during the laser pulse. The surface temperature measurements are consistent with near-surface heating by laser absorption at e-beam induced defects. This increase in surface temperature plays a significant role in enhancing the observed neutral species intensities due to thermally activated steps in the emission process.