Laser-induced breakdown flame thermometry

The determination of temperature distribution is an essential task when flames are characterized. We propose a new approach for flame thermometry based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) utilizing the temperature dependency of the breakdown threshold laser pulse energy. Calibration measurements are carried out in heated gas flows and post-combustion gases. Compositional effects on the breakdown threshold are corrected employing a straightforward procedure. For this purpose, the elemental composition is derived from the LIBS spectra and this information is then used for correcting the measured threshold laser pulse energy. A series of proof-of-concept measurements in a laminar methane/air flame on a Bunsen burner is conducted and compared to reference data from coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). The corrected LIBS temperatures show excellent agreement with those obtained by CARS. Therefore, our approach represents a simple and straightforward alternative to traditionally used thermometry methods. (C) 2012 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.