Laser as a spark plug

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Introduction

Response To concern about global environment and dwindling fossil fuels.
Research for clean vehicle and energy.
Efficiency improvement, reduction of CO2 emission and other pollutant is important.
Laser ignition is one of the promising alternative source.

Spark Plug

Electrode through insulator(Central porcelain)
Metal tongue is welded & bent with small gap
Receives high voltage current to produce spark

Problem With Spark Plug Use
Lean Air Fuel Ratios Are More Difficult to ignite
Natural Gases Are More Difficult To ignite
Interference With Propagation Of Early Combustion flame


Laser Induced Photochemical Ignition

Laser photons dissociate the target molecule into highly reactive radical species.
Production rates of these radicals are greater than their recombination rates.
Initiate the usual chemical chain-branching reaction leading to ignition and full-scale combination.