Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy in Optically Dense Fireballs Using Broadband Second-Harmonic Generation of a Pulsed Modeless Dye Laser

Broadband frequency doubling of a modeless dye laser pulse is used to enable single-shot absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet for optically dense, energetic-materials fireball applications. Band widths of approximately 1–3 nm are generated in the 226 and 268 nm regions using a doubling crystal. Strong focusing of the fundamental beam onto the crystal is found to be sufficient to achieve 1–5% conversion efficiency with a pulse intensity sufficient to saturate the array detector even after 75% attenuation through the fireball. The technique is demonstrated with nitric oxide (NO) absorption in a gas cell and is then used to perform the first detection and temperature fitting of aluminum monofluoride (AlF) and magnesium monofluoride (MgF) in a fireball environment.