Applications of a single-longitudinal-mode alexandrite laser for diagnostics of parameters of combustion interest

We report on the applications of a single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) pulsed alexandrite laser system for diagnostics of parameters of flow/combustion interest. The laser system is characterized by its narrow linewidth, high peak power, and broad tunablity. The absolute frequency of the laser output was monitored by a wavelength diagnostic system, which included a high-resolution confocal etalon and a molecular iodine laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection system. Different nonlinear frequency conversion schemes were used to cover a large frequency range from the infrared to the deep UV. The versatility of the laser system for flow/combustion diagnostics is demonstrated in three applications, namely filtered Rayleigh scattering, high-resolution Doppler-free two-photon LIF of CO, and infrared LIF and polarization spectroscopy of CO2. The potential impacts of using this SLM laser system in laser flow/combustion diagnostic applications are discussed. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.