Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Measurement and Analysis of Atomic Hydrogen and Diatomic Molecular AlO, C2, CN, and TiO Spectra Following Laser-induced Optical Breakdown
Published on: February 14, 2014
Temperature measurement using ultraviolet laser absorption of carbon dioxide behind shock waves
Matthew A Oehlschlaeger1, David F Davidson, Jay B Jeffries
1High Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305-3032, USA. moehlsch@stanford.edu
Abstract:
A diagnostic for microsecond time-resolved temperature measurements behind shock waves, using ultraviolet laser absorption of vibrationally hot carbon dioxide, is demonstrated. Continuous-wave laser radiation at 244 and 266 nm was employed to probe the spectrally smooth CO2 ultraviolet absorption, and an absorbance ratio technique was used to determine temperature. Measurements behind shock waves in both nonreacting and reacting (ignition) systems were made, and comparisons with isentropic and constant-volume calculations are reported.
Related Concept Videos
Constant Volume Calorimetry
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
UV–Vis Spectrometers

