Imaging of molecular hydrogen and oxygen by single and two-photon fluorescence using laser and flashlamp sources

Two flow visualization techniques, i.e., simultaneous two-dimensional fluorescence imaging of H2 and O2 in a diffusion flame, and quasi-linear fluorescence imaging of O2, are presented. The first uses an injection-locked argon-fluoride excimer laser and a partial overlap of a two-photon ground state absorption in H2 with a single photon absorption from a vibrational level in O2. The second uses a simple, high-intensity ultraviolet flashlamp which provides a flux of photons in the 180-195 nm range, sufficient to produce a quasi-one-dimensional fluorescence image of hot/room temperature oxygen. Both techniques do not require that a seed material be introduced into the flow, they can image major flow constituents, and provide an instantaneous snapshot of the flow.