APPLICATION OF SATURATION SPECTROSCOPE FOR MEASUREMENT OF Na AND MgO CONCENTRATIONS IN ACETYLENE FLAMES

Abstract

Louise Pasternak has been an NRC/NRL Resident Research Associate.Author Institution: Naval Research LaboratoryAbsolute atomic Na and MgO concentrations in an acetylene air flame are determined using laser-induced fluorescence saturation spectroscopy. The combustor is a slot burner using salt solutions aspirated into premixed acetylene and air to create a stable, homogeneous, atmospheric pressure flame. Independent atomic and molecular absorption measurements are made for Na and the MgO $(X^{1}\Sigma^{+})$ state which are in agreement with the saturation spectroscopy concentration determinations. We will report laser-induced fluorescence spectra of MgO $(B^{1}\Sigma^{+} - X^{1}\Sigma^{+})$ and $(B^{1}\Sigma^{+} - A^{1}\Pi)$ transitions. From the relative intensities of these spectra it is apparent that a significant inversion exists between MgO A and X states in the flame