‘Self-calibration’ method for TALIF measurement of O atoms by full photofragmentation of O3 using a 226 nm UV laser

Abstract

Quantification of atomic oxygen through the method of two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) is common in the fields of plasma fundamental research and application treatments. Fluorescence signal calibration is required to absolutely quantify the O amount and normally achieved with the help of TALIF measurement of a known-density Xe gas. In this study, an alternative calibration method is proposed based on the full photofragmentation (FPF) of O3 with a known density in a known gas composition by the same UV laser beam as that of the TALIF detection of atomic O. This is achieved by an equivalent amount of O fragment contributing the same fluorescence intensity as that of the O3 FPF-TALIF process under the same experimental conditions. The validity of this calibration method is proved by comparing it to the TALIF measurement of the Xe gas. It provides a ‘self-calibration’ method for the TALIF detection of O atoms without any need to change the laser optical arrangements including the laser wavelength. In addition, it only requires a gas flow with known O3 density through the studied medium reactor or chamber (such as plasma discharges). Detailed theoretical and practical principles of this self-calibration approach are presented and discussed in this study.