Diffuse-light two-dimensional line-of-sight attenuation for soot concentration measurements

A technique of diffuse-light two-dimensional line-of-sight attenuation (diffuse 2D-LOSA) is described and demonstrated that achieves very high levels of sensitivity in transmissivity measurements (optical thicknesses down to 0.001) while effectively mitigating interferences due to beam steering. An optical system is described in which an arc lamp coupled with an integrating sphere is used as a source of diffuse light that is imaged to the center of the particulate laden medium. The center of the medium is then imaged onto a CCD detector with 1:1 magnification. Comparative measurements with collimated 2D-LOSA in nonpremixed flames demonstrate the accuracy and improved optical noise rejection of the technique. Tests in weakly sooting, nonpremixed methane-air flames, and in high pressure methane-air flames, reveal the excellent sensitivity of diffuse 2D-LOSA, which is primarily limited by the shot noise of the lamp and CCD detector.