title: Fast time-resolved Fourier-transform spectroscopy for the study of transient chemical reactions.
abstract: We describe the most recent implementation of the data acquisition system which we have developed for fast time-resolved (FTR) Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) and report spectra that were obtained by using this instrument. This FTRPTS data system operates in conjunction with any continuous-scan Michelson interferometer, giving it the capability to record many time-delayed spectra of a transient event, with a minimum time resolution of 1 µs. The sensitivity and the spectral resolution of the complete system are the same as those that would be obtained if the interferometer were used in conventional steady-state spectroscopy. To illustrate the performance of the FTRPTS system, we recorded emission spectra from the products of transient chemical reactions of H atoms with CF(3)Cl, CF(2)Cl(2), CFCL(3), and NO(2). These are laser-initiated reactions involving atoms with energies that correspond to a temperature of approximately 27,000 K and lifetimes of a few microseconds, but the FTRPTS system records the time evolution of their products with high signal-to-noise ratio.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Carere
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sloan