Laser excitation dynamics of OH in flames

Abstract
The response of OH in flames to laser excitation is studied in some detail. The population balance equations are solved numerically using an empirical model for the rotational relaxation rates. The empirical model parameters are fit to experimental spectra using a linear regression procedure and the resulting description of OH behavior is shown to be satisfactory to within the precision of the data. The model is then used to recover branching ratios for a number of flame conditions.