The purpose of this thesis research was to conduct a parametric study of laser and laser plasma interactions with zirconium and hafnium metal in order to develop Zr nitride and Hf nitride coatings. The study determined optimum focal plane positions, beam power, beam speed, and gaseous atmospheric conditions to optimize the formation of a continuous nitride film on a zirconium or hafnium substrate. The use of lasers in titanium nitride formation was studied parametrically by Nassar et al. [1] and an optimal regime of titanium nitride formation was found. Investigations of laser-sustained plasma and its role in laser nitriding of titanium [1] was used as a starting point for this research on hafnium nitride and zirconium nitride formation. Laser-sustained plasma processing conditions for the formation of near-stoichiometric hafnium and zirconium nitrides,
in an open nitrogen atmosphere, were identi ed.
