Temperature measurements of the hydroxyl radical and molecular nitrogen in premixed, laminar flames by laser techniques.

Temperature profiles in an atmospheric pressure, premixed, laminar, methane-air flame were measured andsystematically compared by two different nonperturbing, laser light scattering methods. The rotationaltemperature of the lowest vibrational state of the electronic ground state of OH was measured by laser-induced fluorescence. The vibrational temperature of the electronic ground state of N(2) was also measured by laser Raman scattering. The first quantitative comparison of these two temperatures with a spatial resolution of less than 100 microm throughout both the reaction zone and the postflame zone is presented. The analysis of the data indicates that the N(2) vibrational temperature is in equilibrium with the OH rotational temperature at all points.