Multispecies absorption spectroscopy of detonation events at 100 kHz using a fiber-coupled, time-division-multiplexed quantum-cascade-laser system.

A mid-infrared fiber-coupled laser system constructed around three time-division-multiplexed quantum-cascade lasers capable of measuring the absorption spectra of CO, CO2, and N2O at 100 kHz over a wide range of operating pressures and temperatures is demonstrated. This system is first demonstrated in a laboratory burner and then used to measure temperature, pressure, and concentrations of CO, CO2, and N2O as a function of time in a detonated mixture of N2O and C3H8. Both fuel-rich and fuel-lean detonation cases are outlined. High-temperature fluctuations during the blowdown are observed. Concentrations of CO are shown to decrease with time for fuel-lean conditions and increase for fuel-rich conditions.