Absorption measurements of water-vapor concentration, temperature, and line-shape parameters using a tunable InGaAsP diode laser.

A tunable diode laser diagnostic based on spectrally resolved laser absorption has been developed to detect water vapor. The system uses a distributed feedback InGaAsP diode laser, emitting at ~ 1.38 µm. The diode laser is tuned in wavelength by modulation of the current, resulting in 1-cm(-1) tuning at 80-Hz repetition rate. The directly measured absorption spectra yield values for water-vapor concentration and temperature, as well as a collision-broadening line shape. To our knowledge, we accurately determined required data for H(2)O line strengths and self-broadening coefficients for several spectral lines in a static cell filled with pure water vapor. The temperature and concentration of the water vapor present in laboratory room air and in the postflame gases above a methane-air flat flame burner have also been measured. These results agree well with calculated values and independent measurements.