Measurements of atomic sodium in flames by asynchronous optical sampling: theory and experiment

Applications of ultrafast lasers for optical measurements in combusting flows

Optical measurement techniques are powerful tools for the detailed study of combustion chemistry and physics. Although traditional combustion diagnostics based on continuous-wave and nanosecond-pulsed lasers continue to dominate fundamental combustion studies and applications in reacting flows, revolutionary advances in the science and engineering of ultrafast (picosecond- and femtosecond-pulsed) lasers are driving the enhancement of existing diagnostic techniques and enabling the development of new measurement approaches. The ultrashort pulses afforded by these new laser systems provide unprecedented temporal resolution for studies of chemical kinetics and dynamics, freedom from collisional-quenching effects, and tremendous peak powers for broad spectral coverage and nonlinear signal generation. The high pulse-repetition rates of ultrafast oscillators and amplifiers allow previously unachievable data-acquisition bandwidths for the study of turbulence and combustion instabilities. We review applications of ultrafast lasers for optical measurements in combusting flows and sprays, emphasizing recent achievements and future opportunities.

Water-vapor detection using asynchronous THz sampling

The use of a fiber-coupled terahertz (THz) transmitter/receiver pair for spectroscopic detection of water vapor is investigated. Transmission signals of an alumina cylinder demonstrate that the measurement approach can be applied in a windowless ceramic combustor. First, a conventional commercial transmitter/receiver pair is used to make measurements for frequencies to 1.25 THz. Water-vapor absorption is clearly evident within the alumina transparency window and is readily modeled using existing databases. A variety of data-acquisition schemes is possible using THz instrumentation. To assess signal-collection techniques, a prototype THz transmitter/receiver pair is then used with the asynchronous optical-sampling (ASOPS) technique to obtain asynchronous THz-sampling signals to 1 THz without the need for an optomechanical delay line. Two mode-locked Ti:sapphire lasers operating at slightly different repetition rates are used for pumping the transmitter and receiver independently to permit a complete time-domain THz signal to be recorded. The resulting repetitive phase walkout is demonstrated by collecting power spectra of room air that exhibit water-vapor absorption.

Quantitative concentration measurements of atomic sodium in an atmospheric hydrocarbon flame with asynchronous optical sampling

We report the development of a pump-probe instrument that uses a high-repetition-rate (82-MHz) picosecond laser. To maximize laser power and to minimize jitter between the pump- and the probe-pulse trains, we choose the asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) configuration. Verification of the method is obtained through concentration measurements of atomic sodium in an atmospheric methane-air flame. For the first time to our knowledge, ASOPS measurements are made on a quantitative basis. This is accomplished by calibration of the sodium concentration with atomic absorption spectroscopy. ASOPS measurements are taken at a rate of 155.7 kHz with only 128 averages, resulting in a corresponding detection limit of 5 × 10(9) cm(-3). The quenching-rate coefficient is obtained in a single measurement with a variation of ASOPS, which we call dual-beam ASOPS. The value of this coefficient is in excellent agreement with literature values for the present flame conditions. Based on our quantitative results for detection of atomic sodium, a detection limit of 2 × 10(17) cm(-3) is predicted for the Q(1) (9) line of A (2)Σ(+) (v = 0)-X(2)II (v = 0) hydroxyl at 2000 K. Although this value is too large for practical flame studies, a number of improvements that should lower the ASOPS detection limit are suggested.

Rate-equation model for quantitative concentration measurements in flames with picosecond pump-probe absorption spectroscopy

Measurement of radical concentrations is important in understanding the chemical kinetics involved in combustion. Application of optical techniques allows for the nonintrusive determination of specific radical concentrations. One of the most challenging problems for investigators is to obtain flame data that are independent of the collisional environment. We seek to obviate this difficulty by the use of picosecond pump-probe absorption spectroscopy. A picosecond pump-probe absorption model is developed by rate-equation analysis. Implications are discussed for a laser-pulse width that is much smaller than the excited-state lifetime of the absorbing atom or molecule. The possibility of quantitative, quenching-independent concentration measurements is discussed, and detection limits for atomic sodium and the hydroxyl radical are estimated. For a three-level absorber-emitter, the model leads to a novel pump-probe strategy, called dual-beam asynchronous optical sampling, that can be used to obtain both the electronic quenching-rate coefficient and the doublet mixing-rate coefficient during a single measurement. We discuss the successful demonstration of the technique in a companion paper [Appl. Opt. 34, XXX (1995)].