A LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE SCHEME FOR IMAGING NITRIC-OXIDE IN ENGINES

Laser-induced fluorescence of nitric oxide is commonly used for the de tection of this major pollutant in combustion processes. Mostly, excit ation within the A-X(0, 0) band is used next to excitation of the D-X( 0, 1) band. However, for real engine applications strong absorption of the laser beam prevents the application of these schemes. Exciting in the A-X(0, 2) band circumvents these problems and allows the sensitiv e two-dimensional detection of nitric oxide in engines fueled with iso -octane or diesel fuel. The spectroscopy of this detection scheme and the experimental apparatus used to generate the required laser energy are reported.