Soot diagnostics based on laser heating

Abstract

Through numerical calculations we have investigated the possibility of developing soot diagnostics based on laser heating of the soot particles. Two strategies, one using the laser-modulated incandescence of the particles, and the other using direct detection of the evaporated C2 molecules, were examined. Both strategies can yield size distribution and volume fraction information provided the laser wavelength is near the graphite absorption band at 260 nm; otherwise, only volume fractions can be obtained.