title: High-sensitivity detection of NO in a flame using a tunable ArF laser.
abstract: A tunable, narrow-band ArF laser has been used for laser-induced fluorescence detection of NO in natural abundance in a flame experiment. P and R branches of the D(2)Sigmaupsilon' = 0?X(2)Pi(3/2,1/2)upsilon'' transition were observed probing rotational states between J'' = 19.5 and J'' = 44.5. A single-shot detection limit of 1 part in 10(6) was found with a monochromator-based, dispersed-fluorescence detection system. In an experimental setup, determination of undispersed laser-induced fluorescence detection limits at or below the 1-part-in-10(9) range should be possible, because the narrow-band laser can be used to suppress all other sources of contaminating fluorescence even for detection of trace NO. The NO B(2)Piupsilon' = 7 ? X(2)Piupsilon'' = 0 transition was also observed in a cell experiment but not in the flame and is reported here.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wodtke
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huwel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schluter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Voges