Time-resolved laser-induced incandescence of soot: the influence of experimental factors and microphysical mechanisms

We present a data set for testing models of time-resolved laser-induced incandescence of soot. Measurements were made in a laminar ethene diffusion flame over a wide range of laser fluences at 532 nm. The laser was seeded to provide a smooth temporal profile, and the beam was spatially filtered and imaged into the flame to provide a homogeneous spatial profile. The particle incandescence was imaged onto a fast photodiode. The measurements are compared with the standard Melton model [Appl. Opt. 23, 2201 (1984)] and with a new model that incorporates physical mechanisms not included in the Melton model. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.