ABSTRACT--CTS-9310942 The PI proposes to purchase an optical parametric generator (OPG) to produce tunable coherent radiation in the infrared (1.4 - 4.0 m) spectral region for use in molecular spectroscopy using the degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) technique. The PI has pending proposals to investigate the detailed chemistry of soot formation in hydrocarbon diffusion flames and in diamond-forming chemical vapor deposition processes. Infrared DFWM is planned to be used in studying these systems. The OPG generates coherent radiation over a range of wavelengths previously inaccessible so that concentrations of stable and radical species important in hydrocarbon reaction systems such as C2H2 and CH3, can be measured in situ. In order to interpret these measurements the PI also intends to further develop the theory of DFWM, especially as it applies to molecules with more than 2 atoms.
