Degenerate four-wave mixing spectroscopy and spectral simulation of C2 in an atmospheric pressure oxy-acetylene flame

The d 3Πg↔a 3Πu Swan bands of C2 have been recorded with high resolution using DFWM in the nearly Doppler free, phase conjugate geometry. C2 was probed in a standard oxy-acetylene welding flame with excellent signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution. Theoretical spectra were simulated and fitted directly to the complex overlapping spectra. The good agreement obtained shows that DFWM holds promise to become a robust and reliable tool for flame thermometry. Current theories of DFWM are reviewed in context of the present work and advantages and disadvantages of the technique are discussed.