Nonlinear Laser Diagnostics for Combustion and Plasma Processes

Diagnostic techniques are needed to characterize the three-dimensional distributions of temperature and species concentration in fluid flows, flames, and plasmas. For example, reducing nitric oxide production in jet engines requires a detailed understanding of the flow fields and mixing zones inside the combustor.

Under a contract with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research we developed new laser-based diagnostics in three areas: (1) extension to shorter wavelengths of two-photon techniques for detection of atoms and ions and (2) investigation of the potential for quantitative measurement of concentration, temperature, and velocity using two-photon-excited amplified spontaneous emission, and (3) development of degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) detection techniques.

This work is intended both to provide new diagnostic capabilities and to characterize the fundamental physical processes that underlie advanced nonlinear optical diagnostic techniques.

Principal Investigators

Gregory W. Faris <gregory.faris@sri.com>
David L. Huestis (E-mail) (CV) (Publications)

Representative Publications

A.D. Sappey and J.B. Jeffries, Appl. Phys. Lett. 55, 1182 (1989).
G.W. Faris, M.J. Dyer, D.L. Huestis, and W.K. Bischel, J. Chem. Phys. 97, 5964 (1992).
G.W. Faris and M.J. Dyer, Opt. Lett. 18, 382 (1993).
G.W. Faris and M.J. Dyer, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 10, 2273 (1993).

Related Web Pages

Send comments and suggestions to david.huestis@sri.com

URL: http://www-mpl.sri.com/projects/pyu5839.html