Detection of OH in flames by using polarization spectroscopy

Abstract
The potentials of polarization spectroscopy in combustion studies are reported. This well-established technique of nonlinear laser spectroscopy is applied to the detection of OH molecules in a premixed acetylene–oxygen and a propane–air flame. The polarization spectrum is recorded in the A 2∑–X 2Π(0, 0) band. The spatial distribution of OH is measured in the flames. The saturation of the signal as a function of the laser pulse intensity is also investigated.