Scheimpflug Lidar for combustion diagnostics

A portable Lidar system developed for large-scale (similar to 1-20 m) combustion diagnostics is described and demonstrated. The system is able to perform remote backscattering measurements with range and temporal resolution. The range resolution is obtained by sharply imaging a part of the laser beam onto a CMOS-array or ICCD detector. The large focal depth required to do this is attained by placing the laser beam, the collection optics and the detector in a so-called Scheimpflug configuration. Results from simulations of the range capabilities and range resolution of the system are presented and its temporal resolution is also discussed. Various applications, important for combustion diagnostics, are also demonstrated, including Rayleigh scattering thermometry, aerosol detection and laser-induced fluorescence measurements. These measurements have been carried out using various continuous-wave GaN diode lasers, emitting in the violet-blue (405 - 450 nm) wavelength regime. It is anticipated that Scheimpflug Lidar will provide a useful and versatile diagnostic tool for combustion research, not only for fundamental studies, but in particular for applications at industrial sites. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement.