Near-infrared diode laser absorption sensor for rapid measurements of temperature and water vapor in a shock tube

A fast-response (100 kHz) tunable diode laser absorption sensor is developed for measurements of temperature and H₂O concentration in shock tubes, e.g. for studies of combustion chemistry. Gas temperature is determined from the ratio of fixed-wavelength laser absorption of two H ₂O transitions near 7185.60 cm^-1 and 7154.35 cm ^-1, which are selected using design rules for the target temperature range of 1000-2000 K and pressure range of 1-2 atm. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy is employed with second-harmonic detection (WMS-2f) to improve the sensor sensitivity and accuracy. Normalization of the second-harmonic signal by the first-harmonic signal is used to remove the need for calibration and minimize interference from emission, scattering, beam steering, and window fouling. The laser modulation depth for each H₂O transition is optimized to maximize the WMS-2f signal for the target test conditions. The WMS-2f sensor is first validated in mixtures of H₂O and Ar in a heated cell for the temperature range of 500-1200 K (P=1 atm), yielding an accuracy of 1.9% for temperature and 1.4% for H₂O concentration measurements. Shock wave tests with non-reactive H₂O-Ar mixtures are then conducted to demonstrate the sensor accuracy (1.5% for temperature and 1.4% for H₂O concentration) and response time at higher temperatures (1200-1700 K, P=1.3-1.6 atm).