Measurement and analysis of OH emission spectra following laser-induced optical breakdown in air.
The measured emission spectra of the OH radical subsequent to laser-induced optical breakdown in air are analyzed to infer spectroscopic temperature and species number density. Emissions from the UV A2sigma+ --> X2IIi transition dominate the spectra in the wavelength range of 306-322 nm and for time delays from the optical breakdown of 30-300 micros. Contributions from other species to the recorded OH emission spectra were also investigated for spectroscopic temperature measurements in the range of 2000-6000 K and for OH number densities in the range of 10(14) - 2 x 10(16) cm(-3). Monte Carlo simulations are applied to estimate errors in the analysis of the hydroxyl spectra.
Center for Laser Applications, The University of Tennessee Space Institute, 411 B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388, USA.
Christian G
CG
Parigger
Guoming
G
Guan
James O
JO
Hornkohl