Journal
LASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS
Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 99-122Publisher
WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
DOI: 10.1002/lpor.200810070
Keywords
Laser ignition of engines; diode-pumped solid-state lasers; fiber-based laser technology; laser plasma generation; laser-initiated combustion
Categories
Funding
- GEJenbacher Company
Ask authors/readers for more resources
After an introduction illustrating the relevance and motivation of laser ignition of engines, the physical background is reviewed in a first technical section. This mainly comprises the mechanisms of plasma formation, which are the generation of first free electrons and their avalanche-like Multiplication, being illustrated by emission and Schlieren diagnostics. Thereafter, combustion fundamentals are discussed leading to an understanding of flammability and minimum ignition laser energies. An important section is represented by the description of the components of laser ignition. This covers the setup and function of a diode-pumped passively Q-switched solid-state laser system, which preferentially is based on Nd:YAG. Other laser sources are mentioned for comparison. Furthermore, multiplexing schemes are discussed that are motivated by cost-saving issues. It is explained why present-day optical fibers are not capable of transporting nanosecond ignition pulses. As a last section, the concepts for an incoupling window and focusing optics are elucidated. Finally, after a summary, in an outlook the chances for commercial realization are analyzed. [GRAPHICS] Sectional view of a prototype of a laser spark plug with an expanding flame kernel. (C) 2010 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Weinheim
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available