Search Results

Technological advances in fast multi-element detectors now permit single-shot temporally and spatially resolved chemiluminescence spectra to be observed from an optically accessible four-stroke single cylinder spark-ignition engine. We demonstrate three techniques using multi-element detectors. First, with a wavelength coverage of 300 - 700 nm, we have observed the chemiluminescence spectra from individual combustion events with a time-gated intensified linear photodiode array. The broad wavelength coverage allows discrete spectral peaks of multiple species (OH, CH, C2, CN, NH) to be observed simultaneously and be distinguished from the continuum luminosity of the spectra. Second, by using a digital streak camera equipped with UV optics, the continuous time evolution of the chemiluminescence spectra was obtained from the spark gap of the engine. The temporal evolution of the plasma spectra from the spark-gap region was observed on short time scales (nanoseconds through microseconds).