Detection of iron atoms by emission spectroscopy and laser-induced fluorescence in solid propellant flames

Planar laser-induced fluorescence on atomic iron is investigated in this paper, and a measurement strategy is proposed to monitor the fluorescence of iron atoms with good sensitivity. A model is proposed to fit the experimental fluorescence spectra, and good agreement is found between simulated and experimental spectra. Emission and laser-induced fluorescence measurements are performed in the flames of ammonium perchlorate composite propellants containing iron-based catalysts. A fluorescence signal from iron atoms after excitation at 248 nm is observed for the first time in propellant flames. Images of the spatial distribution of iron atoms are recorded in the flame in which turbulent structures are generated. Iron fluorescence is detected up to 1.0 MPa, which opens the way to application in propellant combustion.

Rovibrational hybrid fs/ps CARS using a volume Bragg grating for N₂ thermometry

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra of N2 in the hybrid femtosecond/picosecond regime have been recorded with 0.7  cm(-1) resolution. The Q-branch rovibrational structure has been resolved, making it suitable for gas-phase simultaneous rotational and vibrational thermometry applications. Resolving this spectral structure requires synchronization of a narrowband picosecond probe pulse with a broadband femtosecond pair of pump and Stokes pulses. It is achieved using a single femtosecond ytterbium-laser source and a volume Bragg grating in a compact experimental arrangement.

Non-Equilibrium Kinetic Studies of Plasma-Assisted Combustion using Laser-Based Diagnostics

Experimental investigation of nanosecond pulsed discharge in premixed CH4/air mixtures at atmospheric pressure has been carried out using laser diagnostics. Electron temperature and number density are measured using laser Thomson scattering. Temperature of neutral molecules is measured by CARS. Finally, OH, CH and CH2O are probed using PLIF to identify their role in the reduction of ignition delay and in the improvement of lean burn capability relative to conventional spark ignition. Measurements are compared with numerical simulations performed using CHEMKIN-based code.

Optical transitions in single-wall boron nitride nanotubes

Optical transitions in single-wall boron nitride nanotubes are investigated by means of optical absorption spectroscopy. Three absorption lines are observed. Two of them (at 4.45 and 5.5 eV) result from the quantification involved by the rolling up of the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheet. The nature of these lines is discussed, and two interpretations are proposed. A comparison with single-wall carbon nanotubes leads one to interpret these lines as transitions between pairs of van Hove singularities in the one-dimensional density of states of boron nitride single-wall nanotubes. But the confinement energy due to the rolling up of the h-BN sheet cannot explain a gap width of the boron nitride nanotubes below the h-BN gap. The low energy line is then attributed to the existence of a Frenkel exciton with a binding energy in the 1 eV range.