100-kHz carbon monoxide TP-PLIF imaging using ultra-narrow-linewidth burst-mode OPO.

A 100-kHz rate two-photon planar laser-induced fluorescence (TP-PLIF) imaging of carbon monoxide (CO) is successfully demonstrated utilizing a narrow-linewidth optical parametric oscillator (OPO) generating light at ∼230.1 nm. A specially designed injection-seeded burst-mode OPO was constructed and characterized for this purpose. This OPO efficiently converts the 355-nm output of a high-energy nanosecond burst-mode laser to ∼230.1 nm following parametric splitting and mixing processes. Generation of an ultra-narrow-linewidth 230.1 nm laser pulse is crucial for effectively exciting CO via a two-photon process from the ground X1Σ+ to the B1Σ+ electronic state-enabling PLIF imaging over a large area. The experimental setup is capable of tracking high-speed flow structures of a CO/N2 mixture, showcasing detection speeds 100 times greater than those achieved with previous femtosecond laser sources. This substantial increase in repetition rate will allow time-resolved CO-TP-PLIF measurements in highly dynamic hypersonic boundary layers and detonation-driven combustion processes for revealing chemical kinetics and turbulent aerodynamics.

Long-lived nitric oxide molecular tagging velocimetry with 1 + 1 REMPI.

The successful demonstration of long-lived nitric oxide (NO) fluorescence for molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) measurements is described in this Letter. Using 1 + 1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of NO at a wavelength near 226 nm, targeting the overlapping Q1(7) and Q21(7) lines of the A-X (0, 0) electronic system, the lifetime of the NO MTV signal was observed to be approximately 8.6 µs within a 100-Torr cell containing 2% NO in nitrogen. This is in stark contrast to the commonly reported single photon NO fluorescence, which has a much shorter calculated lifetime of approximately 43 ns at this pressure and NO volume fraction. While the shorter lifetime fluorescence can be useful for molecular tagging velocimetry with single laser excitation within very high-speed flows at some thermodynamic conditions, the longer lived fluorescence shows the potential for an order of magnitude more accurate and precise velocimetry, particularly within lower speed regions of hypersonic flow fields such as wakes and boundary layers. The physical mechanism responsible for the generation of this long-lived signal is detailed. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this technique is showcased in a high-speed jet flow, where it is employed for precise flow velocity measurements.

Recent progress in high-speed laser diagnostics for hypersonic flows [Invited].

The recent progress in high-speed (≥100k H z) laser diagnostics for hypersonic flows is reviewed. Owing to the ultrahigh flow speed, a laser frequency of 100 kHz or higher is required for hypersonic diagnostics. Here, two main laser diagnostic techniques are discussed: focused laser differential interferometry (FLDI) and pulse-burst laser-based diagnostics. Single- and multiple-point FLDI measurements have been widely applied to hypersonic flows for flow velocity and density fluctuation measurements. The progress of pulse-burst laser-based hypersonic diagnostics, including flow velocity measurements and 2D flow visualization, is also discussed.

Mach 18 flow velocimetry with 100-kHz KTV and PLEET in AEDC Tunnel 9.

Krypton Tagging Velocimetry (KTV) and Picosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging (PLEET) velocimetry at a 100-kHz rate were demonstrated in Mach 18 flow conditions at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Tunnel 9 employing a burst-mode laser system and a custom optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The measured freestream flow velocities from both KTV and PLEET agreed well with the theoretical calculation. The increase in repetition rate provides better capability to perform time-resolved velocimetry measurements in hypersonic flow environments.

High-repetition-rate krypton tagging velocimetry in Mach-6 hypersonic flows.

A 100 kHz krypton (Kr) tagging velocimetry (KTV) technique was demonstrated in a Mach-6 Ludwieg tube using a burst-mode laser-pumped optical parametric oscillator system. The single-beam KTV scheme at 212 nm produced an insufficient signal in this large hypersonic wind tunnel because of its low Kr seeding (≤5%), low static pressure (∼2.5torr), and long working distance (∼1m). To overcome these issues, a new scheme using two excitation beams was developed to enhance KTV performance. A 355 nm laser beam was combined with the 212 nm beam to promote efficient two-photon Kr excitation at 212 nm, and increase the probability of 2 + 1 resonant-enhanced multiphoton ionization by adding a 355 nm beam. A signal enhancement of approximately six times was obtained. Using this two-excitation beam approach, strong long-lasting KTV was successfully demonstrated at a 100 kHz repetition rate in a Mach-6 flow.

Burst-mode 100 kHz N2 ps-CARS flame thermometry with concurrent nonresonant background referencing.

A burst-mode nitrogen (N2) picosecond vibrational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (ps-VCARS) system is presented for accurate flame thermometry at 100 kHz repetition rate. A frequency-tripled ps burst-mode laser is used to pump a custom optical parametric generator/amplifier to produce 607 nm broadband Stokes pulses with 120cm-1 bandwidth, along with a narrowband 532 nm pump/probe beam. A simultaneous shot-to-shot nonresonant background (NRB) measurement is implemented to account for Stokes spectral profile and beam overlap fluctuations. The 100 kHz ps-VCARS data are benchmarked in a near-adiabatic CH4/air Hencken calibration flame with an accuracy of 1.5% and precision of 4.7% up to peak flame temperatures. The use of N2 VCARS and simultaneous NRB measurements enables high-speed thermometry for a wide range of fuels and combustion applications.

10 kHz two-color OH PLIF thermometry using a single burst-mode OPO.

10-kHz hydroxyl radical (OH) two-color planar laser-induced fluorescence (TC-PLIF) thermometry was demonstrated with a single burst-mode optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and a single camera. A fast, dual-wavelength switched seed laser enabled a high-energy, high-repetition-rate burst-mode laser to generate two 10-kHz pulse trains at wavelengths of ${\sim}{354.8}\;{\rm nm}$. The two pulse trains are colinear with 3 µs time interval between the pulse pairs. The injection-seeded OPO efficiently converts the burst-mode laser output to 285.62 and 285.67 nm to excite the ${Q}_2({12})$ and ${P}_1({8})$ OH transitions. PLIF images were collected from each of the two excitation transitions, and intensity ratios from the images were used to determine local temperatures. The development of fast, dual-wavelength switching, burst-mode OPO technology significantly reduces the experimental complexity of the high-speed TC-PLIF thermometry and simplifies its implementation in harsh combustion and flow test facilities.

Compact fiber-coupled UV-NIR hyperspectral imaging sensor for characterizing ultra-high temperature ceramic materials.

A compact fiber-coupled hyperspectral imaging sensor (HSIS) operating within the range of ultraviolet to near-infrared (UV-NIR) wavelengths is designed and developed for the remote recording of two-dimensional (2D) spectrally resolved thermal radiation and chemiluminescent emission from ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs). Using simulations, the entire system is optimized to improve the collection efficiency and minimize aberrations. The design, construction, and characterization of the HSIS sensor are discussed in detail. We present the 2D spectrally resolved measurements of the simultaneous thermal radiation and BO2∗ chemiluminescent emission from a commonly used UHTC (HfB2-SiC) material under high-heat-flux conditions. Our results show that BO2∗ chemiluminescence corresponds directly to material ablation and can be used to track the formation of the protective heat-resistant glass/oxide layer. Furthermore, the temperature measurements demonstrate the heat distribution properties of the sample and indicate the locations at which BO2∗ chemiluminescence is possible. These results highlight the application prospects of the compact fiber-coupled HSIS for high-temperature material characterization in practical arc-jet facilities with limited optical access.

10 kHz 2D thermometry in turbulent reacting flows using two-color OH planar laser-induced fluorescence.

10 kHz two-color OH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) thermometry was demonstrated in both laminar Hencken flames and turbulent premixed jet flames using two injection-seeded optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) pumped by a high-speed three-legged burst-mode laser. The two burst-mode OPOs generate ∼5mJ/pulse at 282 nm and 286 nm to excite the Q1(5) and Q1(14) transitions of the A2Σ+←X2Π (1,0) system of OH, respectively. PLIF images were collected simultaneously from each of the two transitions and ratios of intensities from the two images were used to determine local temperatures. Analyses of flame curvature, temperature, and the correlation in time of these two quantities are also discussed. The results from this work are promising for the use of this technique in more complex flow environments and at, potentially, even higher repetition rate.

Hypersonic N2 boundary layer flow velocity profile measurements using FLEET.

Femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging (FLEET) velocimetry was used in the boundary layer of an ogive-cylinder model in a Mach-6 Ludwieg tube. One-dimensional velocity profiles were extracted from the FLEET signal in laminar boundary layers from pure N2 flows at unit Reynolds numbers ranging from 3.4×106/m to3.9×106/m. The effects of model tip bluntness and the unit Reynolds number on the velocity profiles were investigated. The challenges and strategies of applying FLEET for direct boundary layer velocity measurement are discussed. The potential of utilizing FLEET velocimetry for understanding the dynamics of laminar and turbulent boundary layers in hypersonic flows is demonstrated.

100 kHz krypton-based flow tagging velocimetry in a high-speed flow.

Krypton (Kr)-based tagging velocimetry is demonstrated in a Kr/N2 jet at 100 kHz repetition rate using a custom-built burst-mode laser and optical parametric oscillator (OPO) system. At this repetition rate, the wavelength-tunable, narrow linewidth laser platform can generate up to 7 mJ/pulse at resonant Kr two-photon-excitation wavelengths. Following a comprehensive study, we have identified the 212.56 nm two-photon-excitation transition as ideal for efficient Kr-based velocimetry, producing a long-lived (∼40µs) fluorescence signal from single-laser-pulse tagging that is readily amenable to velocity tracking without the need for a second "read" laser pulse. This long-lived fluorescence signal is found to emanate from N2-rather than from Kr-following efficient energy transfer. Successful flow velocity tracking is demonstrated at multiple locations in a high-speed Kr/N2 jet flow. The 100 kHz repetition rate provides the ability to perform time-resolved velocimetry measurements in high-speed and even hypersonic flow environments, where standard velocimetry approaches are insufficient to capture the relevant dynamics.

100 kHz PLEET velocimetry in a Mach-6 Ludwieg tube.

Picosecond laser electronic-excitation tagging (PLEET) was demonstrated in a Mach-6 Ludwieg tube at a repetition rate of 100 kHz using a 1064 nm, 100 ps burst-mode laser. The system performance of high-speed velocimetry in unseeded air and nitrogen Mach-6 flows at a static pressure in the range of 5-20 torr were evaluated. Based on time-resolved freestream flow measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations, we concluded that the measurement uncertainty of 100 kHz PLEET measurement for Mach 6 freestream flow condition is ∼1%. The measured velocity profiles with a cone-model agreed well with the CFD computations upstream and downstream of the shockwave; downstream of the shockwave the discrepancy between the CFD and experimental measurement could be attributed to a slight nonzero angle of attack (AoA) or flow unsteadiness. Our results show the potential of utilizing 100 kHz PLEET velocimetry for understanding real-time dynamics of turbulent hypersonic flows and provide the capability of collecting sufficient data across fewer tests in large hypersonic ground test facilities.

100 kHz krypton planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging.

Krypton planar laser-induced fluorescence (Kr PLIF) was demonstrated at a repetition rate of 100 kHz. To achieve this increased rate, a custom injection-seeded optical parametric oscillator was built to efficiently convert the 355 nm output of a high-energy, high-repetition-rate nanosecond burst-mode laser to 212.56 nm to excite Kr from the ground to the 5p[1/2]0 electronic state. Successful tracking of flow structures and mixture fraction was demonstrated using detection speeds 100 times greater than previously attained with a femtosecond laser source. The increase in repetition rate makes time-resolved Kr PLIF relevant for high-speed flows in particular.

Megahertz-rate OH planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in a rotating detonation combustor.

Megahertz-rate hydroxyl radical planar laser-induced fluorescence (OH-PLIF) was demonstrated in a hydrogen/air rotating detonation combustor for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. A custom injection-seeded optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by the 355 nm output of a high-energy burst-mode laser produced narrowband pulses near 284 nm for OH excitation. The system generated sequences of more than 150 ultraviolet pulses with 400 µJ/pulse at 1 MHz and 150 µJ/pulse at 2 MHz. The order of magnitude improvement in the repetition rate over prior OH-PLIF measurements and in the number of pulses over previous megahertz burst-mode OPOs enables spatiotemporal analysis of complex detonation combustion dynamics.

WIDECARS multi-parameter measurements in premixed ethylene-air flames using a wavelength stable ultrabroadband dye laser.

Width-increased dual-pump enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (WIDECARS) measurements were used to determine the temperature and major species mole fractions in laminar, premixed, ethylene-air flames operating at atmospheric pressure. Conventional ultrabroadband dye lasers for WIDECARS, which use Pyrromethene dyes, have historically suffered from day-to-day wavelength shifting. To overcome this problem, a new ultrabroadband dye laser was developed in this study to provide a stable wavelength and power generation. A new dye laser pumping scheme and a mixture of Sulforhodamine 640, Kiton Red 620, and Rhodamine 640, was used to generate the desired FWHM ${\sim}{15}\;{\rm nm}$∼15nm (${410}\;{{\rm cm}^{ - 1}}$410cm-1) bandwidth. The WIDECARS measured mole fraction ratios of ${{\rm CO}_2}$CO2, CO, and ${{\rm H}_2}$H2 with ${{\rm N}_2}$N2 agreed well with chemical equilibrium calculations.

Simultaneous high-speed imaging of temperature, heat-release rate, and multi-species concentrations in turbulent jet flames.

We report the high-speed imaging of multi-species and multi-parameter combustion diagnostics for turbulent non-premixed jet flames using a three-legged burst-mode laser system. Simultaneous OH/CH2O planar laser-induced fluorescence and Rayleigh-scattering imaging measurements at a 10-kHz rate are obtained. OH and CH2O concentrations, flame temperatures, and heat-release rates are simultaneously acquired in two-dimensions at 10 kHz.

Measurement of electron density and temperature from laser-induced nitrogen plasma at elevated pressure (1-6 bar).

Laser-induced plasmas experience Stark broadening and shifts of spectral lines carrying spectral signatures of plasma properties. In this paper, we report time-resolved Stark broadening measurements of a nitrogen triplet emission line at 1-6 bar ambient pressure in a pure nitrogen cell. Electron densities are calculated using the Stark broadening for different pressure conditions, which are shown to linearly increase with pressure. Additionally, using a Boltzmann fit for the triplet, the electron temperature is calculated and shown to decrease with increasing pressure. The rate of plasma cooling is observed to increase with pressure. The reported Stark broadening based plasma diagnostics in nitrogen at high pressure conditions will be significantly useful for future studies on high-pressure combustion and detonation applications.

Rayleigh-scattering-based two-dimensional temperature measurement at 100-kHz frequency in a reacting flow.

Two-dimensional, Rayleigh-scattering-based temperature measurements utilizing a turbulent jet flame were performed in this study at 100-kHz frequency. This tenfold increase in measurement speed-compared to the 10-kHz frequency considered previously-facilitated identification and tracking of several highly dynamic flow features. Findings of this study demonstrate that flow-feature dynamics become uncorrelated qualitatively and quantitatively prior to an elapse of 100 µs between successive measurements, thereby necessitating the temperature-measurement frequency to exceed 10 kHz. At the proposed 100-kHz measurement frequency, resolution of the Taylor microscale and integral scales have been demonstrated in both space and time for this flow.

Direct measurement of CO2S-branch Raman linewidths broadened by O2, Ar, and C2H4.

Direct measurements of CO2S-branch Raman coherence-decay lifetimes resulting from CO2-O2, CO2-Ar, and CO2-C2H4 collisions by employing time-resolved picosecond rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy are reported. Based on the measured Raman coherence dephasing rates, the corresponding Raman linewidths of various J levels are obtained. Our measured linewidth data will aid CO2 CARS fitting, which is applied to the high-accuracy extraction of temperature and species concentration information from CARS spectra.

Direct measurements of collisional Raman line broadening in the S-branch transitions of CO perturbed by CO, N2, and CO2.

We report direct measurement of collisional line-broadening coefficients associated with rotational Raman transitions of carbon monoxide (CO), obtained using time-resolved picosecond rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy. The dependencies of the CO self-broadening coefficients on rotational quantum number, J, and temperature are described for the J=3-16 lines of S-branch (ΔJ=+2) transitions for T=295-600 K at atmospheric pressure. Further, we report collisional linewidths of CO and collision partners N2 and CO2. The obtained S-branch linewidths of self-broadened CO agree well with previously reported frequency-domain experimental spectroscopy results, whereas the mixture-linewidth broadening coefficients differ from reported theoretical results by up to 80%.