
1.State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, China
2.Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, China
3.CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, 201800, Shanghai, China
4.State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201800, Shanghai, China
5.School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 201210, Shanghai, China
Huailiang Xu (huailiang@jlu.edu.cn)
Ruxin Li (ruxinli@mail.shcnc.ac.cn)
Published:31 March 2021,
Published Online:05 March 2021,
Received:19 October 2020,
Revised:15 February 2021,
Accepted:19 February 2021
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Zang, H. W. et al. Robust and ultralow-energy-threshold ignition of a lean mixture by an ultrashort-pulsed laser in the filamentation regime. Light: Science & Applications, 10, 320-326 (2021).
Zang, H. W. et al. Robust and ultralow-energy-threshold ignition of a lean mixture by an ultrashort-pulsed laser in the filamentation regime. Light: Science & Applications, 10, 320-326 (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00496-8.
Laser ignition (LI) allows for precise manipulation of ignition timing and location and is promising for green combustion of automobile and rocket engines and aero-turbines under lean-fuel conditions with improved emission efficiency; however
achieving completely effective and reliable ignition is still a challenge. Here
we report the realization of igniting a lean methane/air mixture with a 100% success rate by an ultrashort femtosecond laser
which has long been regarded as an unsuitable fuel ignition source. We demonstrate that the minimum ignition energy can decrease to the sub-mJ level depending on the laser filamentation formation
and reveal that the resultant early OH radical yield significantly increases as the laser energy reaches the ignition threshold
showing a clear boundary for misfire and fire cases. Potential mechanisms for robust ultrashort LI are the filamentation-induced heating effect followed by exothermal chemical reactions
in combination with the line ignition effect along the filament. Our results pave the way toward robust and efficient ignition of lean-fuel engines by ultrashort-pulsed lasers.
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