Robust and ultralow-energy-threshold ignition of a lean mixture by an ultrashort-pulsed laser in the filamentation regime

TLDR: In this article, an ultrashort femtosecond laser was used to fire a lean methane/air mixture with a 100% success rate, and the resulting early OH radical yield significantly increases as the laser energy reaches the ignition threshold, showing a clear boundary for misfire and fire cases.

Abstract: 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.