Energy transfer in combustion diagnostics: Experiment and modeling

Abstract

Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) of OH (A²Σ⁺) is measured in several atmospheric-pressure flames using a short-pulse laser system (80 ps duration) in conjunction with an intensified streak camera. The two-dimensional signal-detection technique allows one to simultaneously monitor rotational and vibrational relaxation as well as electronic quenching. Rotationally-resolved LIF spectra affected by energy transfer are compared with the results of a rate-equation model and are found to be in reasonably good agreement. It is shown that a significant contribution of fluorescence detected by broad-band techniques is due to levels populated by vibrational energy transfer (VET). Implications for picosecond LIF techniques for the time-resolved, quench-free detection of OH are discussed. A detailed analysis is presented for fluorescence spectra originating from levels populated by VET after excitation of states in the OH (A²Σ⁺, ′ = 2) level.