Analysis of spectra of acoustic signals generated by high-power pulsed laser radiation propagating in the atmosphere. 2. Spectra of acoustic signals from laser sparks

Results of theoretical and experimental investigations into the spectra of acoustic signals generated by high-power pulsed laser radiation propagating in the atmosphere in the breakdown regime are presented. Results of analogous investigations for laser breakdown on a single aerosol particle and ensemble of monodispersed particles versus the particle material and size were published in [1]. In the present work, acoustic spectra of discrete laser sparks in the atmosphere are analyzed, and their special features in comparison with acoustic spectra of individual plasma formations, spectra of acoustic signals generated by pulsed laser radiation propagating in the atmosphere in thermooptical regime, and laboratory spectra of continuous laser sparks are discussed. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 12, pp. 26–31, December, 2007.     

Sound Generation by Breakdown Plasma Formations Initiated by Solid Aerosol Particles upon Exposure to Laser Radiation

The results of experimental investigations into the characteristics of acoustic signals generated by breakdown plasma formations initiated by a solid aerosol particle or an ensemble of monodisperse aerosol particles upon exposure to laser radiation with a wavelength of 1.06 m are presented as functions of the materials and sizes of particles and of the acting laser energy density. It is demonstrated that the acoustic signal amplitude and duration depend linearly on the effective sizes of particles initiating plasma formations with the proportionality coefficient depending on the particle material. The coefficient of laser energy conversion into the acoustic energy is estimated. The acoustic pulse shape is satisfactorily approximated by a blast N-wave for particles of micron sizes. A comparison of the obtained results with the data available from the literature indicates their good agreement.     

Sound generation in the atmosphere upon exposure to high-power milli- and microsecond laser pulses

A review of works on generation of acoustic pulses in the atmosphere upon exposure to high-power laser pulses is presented in this paper. Characteristics of sound pulses in the atmosphere accompanying the propagation of high-power milli- and microsecond laser pulses, including the peak sound pressure level and the shape and spectrum of acoustic pulses, are discussed. The special features of acoustic pulses from individual liquid and solid aerosol particles and ensembles of monodisperse particles and polydisperse atmospheric aerosol are discussed. The characteristics of acoustic signals from long laser sparks and collective optical discharges are considered.     

Spectral and energy characteristics of acoustic emission in the laser radiation breakdown of water

Results from experimental investigations of acoustic emission from the optical breakdown zone in liquid formed by laser radiation at a wavelength of 532 nm are presented. The linear dependence of the acoustic pressure on the laser pulse energy is revealed. It is shown that the effect of an additional source of sound at a frequency of 37 kHz enhances the acoustic emission from the optical breakdown zone.     

Thermooptical Mechanism of Sound Generation by High-Power Laser Radiation Propagating in the Atmosphere

In the present paper, the results of experimental and theoretical investigations into the thermooptical mechanism of sound generation by high-power pulsed laser radiation (HPLR) propagating in the atmosphere are given. Experiments were performed with collimated and weakly-focused beams of a pulsed CO₂ laser with a wavelength of 10.6 m. A sound pulse was recorded with omnidirectional microphones placed at distances of 0.2–0.5 m from the laser beam axis and spaced along the laser beam propagation path whose length was a few hundred meters. A sound pressure level was measured with a precision impulse sound level meter, and time histories of acoustic pulses were also displayed on the screen of an oscilloscope. Based on these investigations, the methods of thermoacoustic sounding of the effective HPLR beam radius and divergence angle, the laser energy absorption coefficient, and the total laser energy have been suggested and realized together with the method of the diagnostics of HPLR propagation regime from the waveform or spectrum of the received acoustic signal.     

Acoustic Diagnostics of Laser Sparks in the Atmosphere

The results of an experimental study of the parameters of acoustic radiation generated by a laser spark made by focusing of a CO₂ high-power pulsed laser radiation outdoors in a slightly dusty atmosphere are presented. An analysis of the acoustic pulse spectrum shows that the position of its maximum is determined by the local plasma-formation radius, and the position of its low-frequency minimum is determined by the laser spark length. A new method of laser spark diagnostics in real time is suggested that enables one to estimate the plasma-formation size distribution function and the transmission factor for laser radiation propagated in the atmosphere under conditions of laser breakdown. The results obtained are in agreement with the available experimental data.     

空气及水汽的激光诱导击穿光谱特性实验研究

以大气颗粒物测量为目标,实验研究了作为背景的空气分子的激光诱导击穿光谱(laser induced breakdown spectrometry, LIBS),以NIST原子发射谱线数据库为参考,对其中的O,N,H等主要元素的特征谱线进行了标识。研究了CCD光谱仪实验参数对空气等离子体发射谱线的影响,得出积分延时大于7 μs时可以较好地减小空气分子所产生的干扰谱线,积分时间宽度大于仪器最小值(1. 1 ms)时对谱线信号强度影响较小等结论。还研究了水汽的激光诱导击穿光谱,分析了O,N,H等元素的发射谱线信号强度的变化,发现H的发射谱线信号强度与水汽含量之间具有很好的线性关系。这些结果对于在大气环境条件下,对大气颗粒物的识别具有重要的指导意义。     

基于激光水下爆炸声源的声探测技术

基于激光水下爆炸的声探测技术,设计了激光声水下目标探测器。对激光水下爆炸声源的产生机理进行研究,并开展水下探测器发射声信号检测的实验。实验结果表明:强脉冲激光聚焦于水介质产生爆炸性球面声源,探测器内部的声反射面将球面声信号转变为高指向性的平面波信号。通过对探测器的发射信号和接收的目标回波信号进行数值计算,得到探测器发射信号具有波束指向性窄、距离分辨力高和探测距离远等特点,满足水下目标探测的应用需求。     

Investigation of a supersonic free jet by means of a laser anemometer

The present paper reports on experimental investigations conducted by means of a laser anemometer in order to analyze a supersonic free jet escaping from a non-divergent nozzle into the free atmosphere. As the free jet is generated in a shock tube, thereby presenting a blow time of the order of 1 ms only, the laser anemometer also proved to be very suitable as a measuring probe to study transient phenomena involving high flow velocities. The experimental results achieved are compared to theoretical predictions.     

Spatial characterization of laser-induced sparks in air

Images and emission spectra of sparks produced by laser-induced breakdown in air were investigated as functions of the laser energy and optical configuration. The laser-induced breakdown was generated by focusing a 532-nm nanosecond pulse from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The data were collected using an intensified CCD camera and a Cassegrain optics system coupled to an ICCD spectrometer. The results provided information about the first stages of laser-induced spark breakdown. Good reproducibility of the plasma location and shape was observed; these parameters depended largely on the optical configuration and plasma energy absorption rate. The high spatial resolution of the Cassegrain optics system was used to observe different ionization levels in the plasma kernel, which confirmed the electron cascade mechanism for plasma formation. The different ionization levels partially explained the asymmetry of the ignition induced by the plasma generation in gaseous mixture. Backward propagation of the plasma along the laser path was observed using the high spatial and temporal resolution of the experimental apparatus. The propagation was largely due to the thickness of the plasma relative to the laser wavelength, which created different ionization levels and energy absorption rates throughout the plasma. This observation was correlated with images obtained using the ICCD camera.     

Theoretical investigation of photoprocesses in complex organic compounds upon high-power laser excitation

A procedure of theoretical investigations into the dynamics of energy level populations of organic molecules upon high-power laser excitation is developed that allows information on stimulated emission of molecules, gain and lasing spectra, dynamics of lasing pulses, populations of the ground and excited states, and influence of the induced absorption on lasing of the organic molecules to be obtained. Laws of changing of the above-indicated processes are established for two pyran substitutes. Results of theoretical and experimental investigations are well correlated. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 51–60, March, 2009.     

Response of plates with unconstrained layer damping treatment to random acoustic excitation,part II: Response evaluation

Theoretical and experimental investigations on the response of a plate with unconstrained layer damping treatment to random acoustic excitation have been carried out. The theoretical response evaluation consisted of determining the power spectral density of the acceleration response of the layered plate by the use of generalized harmonic analysis under a specific random acoustic excitation, with use being made of modal frequencies and associated loss factors estimated as described in Part I. A study was made on the contribution of cross coupling terms of the acceleration response for the two boundary conditions investigated: namely, all edges simply supported and all edges clamped. In the experimental investigation, plates with different damping layer thicknesses were subjected to high intensity random acoustic excitation generated by an exponential horn driven by an electropneumatic transducer. The acceleration responses were recorded and later analyzed to yield the power spectral densities. Experimental and theoretical results are compared.     

激光能量对飞灰颗粒流中未燃碳LIBS检测影响研究

飞灰含碳量是评价锅炉燃烧效率的重要指标之一,对其进行在线测量有助于实时进行燃烧优化调整,从而提高整个机组的经济性和安全性。利用螺杆式给粉机搭建飞灰颗粒流含碳量测量台架,将脉冲激光直接作用于飞灰颗粒流,形成等离子体,利用激光诱导击穿光谱技术测量飞灰颗粒流中的含碳量信息。重点研究了激光能量对飞灰颗粒流中未燃碳有效激发和测量的影响规律。研究结果显示,在40～130 mJ能量的脉冲激光作用下,碳谱线强度随着激光能量的增大线性增强,而其信噪比则先增加后趋于稳定,无效光谱的剔除率则呈下降趋势。本实验条件下,激光能量在90～100 mJ之间,可得到较强的等离子体发射信号和较优的光谱数据利用率。因而激光能量与颗粒流的激发状态、碳元素特征谱线强度等密切相关。合理的激光能量有利于保证飞灰颗粒流的有效稳定激发,并获得具有良好信噪比的等离子体光谱信号。     

Characteristics and application of laser-generated acoustic shock waves in air

When a high-power laser beam is focused at a point, the air at the focal point is heated to temperatures of thousands of degrees within several nanoseconds and breaks down. This generates a spark that, in turn, is accompanied by an acoustic shock wave. The acoustic shock waves generated by focussing the beam from a pulsed laser with a 1064 nm wavelength and a power of 800 mJ per pulse have been measured using 1/4″ and 1/8″ B&K microphones. Nonlinear sound levels are observed up to 1.5 m from the laser-induced sparks. Beyond a certain region close to the source, levels are found to decrease in a manner consistent with spherical spreading plus nonlinear hydrodynamic losses. Analysis of the waveforms shows that the acoustic pulses associated with the laser-induced sparks are more repeatable and have higher intensity than those from an electrical spark source. Laser-generated acoustic shock waves are ideal for simulating a blast wave or a sonic boom in the laboratory and for studying the associated propagation effects. To illustrate this application, the propagation of the laser generated shock waves over a series of different hard, rough surfaces has been investigated. The results show the distinctive influences of ground roughness on the propagation of the shock wave.     

Diffraction of Acoustic Compression–Tension Pulses Generated by High-Density Nanosecond Electron Beam in Solids

Propagation of longitudinal acoustic signals through a D16T aluminum alloy, polycrystalline copper, and single-crystalline silicon was studied experimentally by laser interferometry. An asymptotic differentiation phenomenon was revealed in the acoustic signal in the transition from the near to the far wave field. Our experimental data analysis and theoretical calculation are indicative of the diffraction character of the phenomenon.     

Hydrodynamic effects of shock interactions on initial flame kernel development of close dual-point laser induced sparks

Flame kernel formations of close dual-point laser induced sparks were investigated experimentally, focusing on the hydrodynamic effects induced by an interaction of shock waves produced by the laser induced sparks. Dual sparks were produced near the center of the combustion chamber by splitting of a ray emitted by a 532 nm Nd:YAG laser. Methane/air mixtures were ignited under a quiescent condition in a constant volume chamber with detailed measurements of the ignition energy and the pressure history. The minimum ignition energy was derived as an ignition energy having an ignitability of 50% using the logistic regression method. The flame kernel initiation process was also observed by Schlieren photography using a high-speed video camera. The offset of laser induced sparks were adjusted by tuning angles of mirrors and lenses. The ignition performance of single- and close dual-point laser breakdown induced sparks was investigated in detail in terms of the minimum ignition energy and the combustion induction time. Time resolved Schlieren photographs indicated that two hump shaped kernels grew rapidly during the initial stage in the vicinity of the plane of symmetry defined by the laser sparks under certain conditions. Their formation was due to the hydrodynamic effects induced by Mach shock waves, which resulted from interactions of the dual shock waves. The minimum ignition energy of the close dual-point laser induced sparks near the lean limit at 1.0 MPa was much lower than that of single-point laser induced sparks, although it was greater than that of the single ones at 0.1 MPa. The combustion induction time, which was defined as the time corresponding to the maximum pressure increase rate, was shortened for close dual-point laser induced sparks, especially for lean mixtures at high pressure. Robust flame kernels were formed by close dual-point laser induced sparks with Mach shock wave formation, and improved ignition performance for lean mixtures at high pressure was observed.     

Specific features of the acoustic emission upon the optical breakdown in liquid induced by the radiation of Nd:YAG laser

The acoustic emission from the zone of the optical breakdown in liquid is experimentally studied. The spectral characteristics and energy of the acoustic wave that is generated in liquid due to expansion of the plasma formation initiated by the optical breakdown at a wavelength of 532 nm are analyzed. Two spectral peaks that characterize the acoustic emission and the low-frequency shift of the low-frequency peak owing to an increase in the laser pulse energy are demonstrated. In general, the linear dependence of the acoustic pressure on the laser pulse energy is observed. The acoustic data can be used to reconstruct function R(t) that is in agreement with dependences R(t) resulting from the optical data. This circumstance is important for the study of breakdown in opaque media.     

激光声信号的频谱特性

构建了激光声实验测量系统,利用脉冲激光聚焦击穿水介质产生声信号,由水听器将声信号转换成电信号并送入数字存储示波器。分析了激光声信号的时频域数学模型,实验研究了激光声信号的频域能量分布,以及激光器重复频率和激光声信号频谱特性的关系。结果表明:激光声信号能量主要集中在200 kHz内,其中100~200 kHz内的能量所占比例约50%。激光声信号的幅频响应极大值点可以受到激光器重复频率的控制。     

Detection of laser induced dielectric breakdown in water using a laser doppler vibrometer

This study is focused on exploring the feasibility of an all-optic surface scanning method in determining the size and position of a submerged, laser generated, optoacoustic (OA) source. The optoacoustic effect in this case was generated when the absorption of a short electromagnetic pulse in matter caused a dielectric breakdown, a plasma emission flash and a subsequent acoustic wave. In the experiment, a laser pulse with λ = 1064 nm and 12 ns pulse length was aimed at a volume of deionized water. When the laser beam was focused by a f = 16 mm lens, a single dielectric breakdown spot occurred. When a f = 40 mm was used several breakdowns in a row were induced. The breakdowns were photographed using a double shutter camera. The acoustic wave generated by the dielectric breakdowns were detected at a point on the water surface using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). First, the LDV signal was used to calculate the speed of sound with an accuracy of 10 m/s. Secondly, the location and length of the dielectric breakdown was calculated with an accuracy of 1 mm. The calculated position matched the breakdown location recorded by a camera. The results show that it is possible to use LDV surface measurements from a single spot to determine both the position and length of the OA source as well as the speed of sound in the medium. Furthermore, the LDV measurements also show a secondary peak that originates from the OA source. To unravel the origin and properties of this interesting feature, further investigations are necessary     

Lagrangian boundary condition and non-linear propagation as causes of Gaussian noise spectrum deformation

In this paper a novel analytical method of spectral analysis for acoustic Gaussian noise signals propagated in lossless fluids is presented. The starting point for theoretical considerations is the “input” signal transformation given by Earnshaw's parametric solution. By using a method of parameter elimination, based upon the filtering property of the delta function and its spectral representation, and utilizing a new theorem concerning continuous stochastic processes, an integral formula which allows one to map the power spectrum of the input signal (i.e., the boundary condition of Lagrange or the boundary condition of Euler) into the power spectrum of the particle velocity for an arbitrary point of the acoustic field (before the shock formation), is derived. The final formulae are well-adapted to numerical calculations of “output” spectra by electronic means.