Laser Ignition for

Internal Combustion
Engines
Nick DeMarco
Dean Clewis
PHYS 43 Modern
Physics
Dr. Younes Ataiiyan
Semester Project
SRJC

o, what is a

Generally, most
of us think of
lasers like this,
which isnt
entirely wrong

What is a Laser?

Alaseris a device that emitselectromagnetic radiation through a process ofoptical

amplificationbased on the stimulated emissionofphotons.
The term laser is anacronymforLight Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
The emitted laser is unique in its high degree of spatial and temporal coherence.
Spatial Coherence means a fixed phase relationship between the electric fields at
different locations across the beam. Typically it is expressed through the output being a
narrow beam which isdiffraction-limited, also known as a "pencil beam." Laser beams
can be focused to very tiny spots, achieving a very highirradiance.
Temporal coherence means a strong correlation between the electric fields at one
location, but different times.

Electric field distribution

around the focus of a
Gaussian laser beam with
perfect spatial and
temporal coherence.

A laser beam with

high spatial
coherence, but poor
temporal coherence

A laser beam with poor

spatial coherence, but
high temporal
coherence.

How does a Laser

Lasers are monochromatic, meaning they are very orderly forms of light
thatwork?
have only one wavelength and one direction.
It all starts with the electrons. By sending energy to a system we can
achieve what is known as population inversion. This means that there are
more electrons in the excited states than those in the lower energy states.
As one electron releases energy (a photon), the other electrons strangely
seem to communicate with each other and also begin releasing photons.
This chain reaction of releasing photons is called stimulated emission. The
problem now is that these photons are released in random directions. In
order to make sure this energy is all forced in the same direction, mirrors
are strategically laced within a laser to direct the photons. The photons
are directed by bouncing back and forth between the mirrors, hitting each
other and causing more stimulated emission.
So, by having:
- Population Inversion
- Stimulated Emission
- Strategic Planting of Mirrors
We get:
- Monochromatic , Directional, and Coherent light.

Types of Lasers
Gas
A Helium-Neon (HeNe) used mostly for holograms such as laser printing.

Chemical
Lasers that obtain their energy through chemical reactions. Used mostly for
weaponry.

Dye
Uses organic dye as the lasting medium, usually in the form of a liquid solution.
Used in medicine, astronomy, manufacturing, and more.

Solid-state
Uses a gain medium that is a solid (rather than a liquid medium as in dye or gas
lasers). Used for weaponry

Semiconductor
Also known as laser diodes, a semiconductor laser is one where the active medium
is a semiconductor similar to that found in a light-emitting diode.
Applications include telecommunication and medicine

Standard Spark Plug Ignition in

an Internal Combustion Engine

Current internal combustion gasoline engines use spark plugs to ignite the air/fuel
mixture in each cylinder (located at the top of the combustion chamber).

Laser Ignition System for an

Internal Combustion Engine
Laser ignition will replace the spark plug seen in current
gasoline engines.

Laser Ignition System for an Internal

Combustion Engine (continued)
Laser Testing:
A one-cylinder research engine was used as a test
engine.
The research engine was equipped with a four-valve
DOHC
cylinder head with a spray-guided combustion system
of AVL List GmbH.
Engine test runs were carried out with two different
approaches:
First, a plane window was inserted into the cylinder head of the
engine. A focusing lens was placed in front of that window in order
to focus the laser beam down into the combustion bomb
(separated optics).
Second, a more sophisticated window was deployed. A lens-like
curvature was engraved directly into the window. By using such a
special window, no further lens was required (combined optics).

From the point of view of components development, the

main goal is the creation of a laser system which meets
the engine-specific requirements. Basically, it is
possible to ignite mixtures with different types of lasers.

How Laser Ignition Works

The laser ignition systemhas a laser transmitter with a fiber-optic cable

powered by the cars battery. It shoots the laser beam to a focusing lens that
would consume a much smaller space than current spark plugs. The lenses
focus the beams into an intense pinpoint of light, and when the fuel is injected
into the engine, the laser is fired and produces enough energy (heat) to ignite
the fuel.
Below is a diagram of the laser arrangement:

Why Laser Ignition?

Regulations on NOx emissions are pushing us toward leaner air/fuel ratios

(higher ratio of air to fuel).
These leaner air/fuel ratios are harder to ignite and require higher
ignition energies. Spark plugs can ignite leaner fuel mixtures, but
only by increasing spark energy. Unfortunately, these high voltages
erode spark plug electrodes so fast, the solution is not economical. By
contrast, lasers, which ignite the air-fuel mixture with concentrated
optical energy, have no electrodes and are not affected.
Natural gas is more difficult to ignite than gasoline due
to the strong carbon to hydrogen bond energy.
Lasers are monochromatic, so it will be much easier to ignite natural
gases and direct the laser beam to an optimal ignition location.
Because of the requirement for an increase in ignition energy, spark plug
life will decrease for natural gas engines.
Laser spark plug ignition system will require less power than
traditional spark plugs, therefore outlasting spark plugs.
Ignition sites for spark plugs are at a fixed location at the top of the
combustion chamber that only allows for ignition of the air/fuel mixture
closest to them.
Lasers can be focused and split into multiple beams to give multiple
ignition points, which means it can give a far better chance of ignition.

Why Laser Ignition? (continued)

Lasers promise less pollution and greater fuel efficiency, but making small,
powerful lasers has, until now, proven hard. To ignite combustion, a laser
must focus light to approximately 100 gigawatts per square centimeter
with short pulses of more than 10 millijoules each.

Japanese researchers working for Toyota have created a prototype laser

that brings laser ignition much closer to reality. The laser is a small (9mm
diameter, 11mm length) high powered laser made out of ceramics that
produces bursts of pulses less than a nanosecond in duration.

The laser also produces more stable combustion so you need to put less
fuel into the cylinder, therefore increasing efficiency.

Optical wire and laser setup is much smaller than the current spark plug
model, allowing for different design opportunities.

Lasers can reflect back from inside the cylinders relaying information such
as fuel type and level of ignition creating optimum performance.

Laser use will reduce erosion.

Future Research Needs and

Shortcomings

Cost
Concept proven, but no commercial system yet available.
Stability of optical window
Beam Delivery/Laser induced optical damage
Particle Deposits
Intelligent control
Laser Distribution
Multiple pulse ignition
Multiple point ignition
Single Point Ignition:
Timing optimization (phasing) vs Thermal Efficiency
NOx tradeoffs
Knock margin

Multipoint Ignition:
Higher flame speed may provide additional knock margin
as well as a higher burn rate.

Multipulse Ignition:
May provide improved ignition, leaner combustion, and lower emissions.
May provide a way to circumvent beam delivery issue.

Acknowledgements

http://www.laserist.org/Laserist/showbasics_laser.html
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?
Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA427076
http://www.maik.rssi.ru/full/lasphys/05/7/lasphys7_05p947ful
l.pdf
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Gran
t%20Funded
%20Projects/075,%20076,%20077%20projects/076207%20University%20of%20Liverpool%20final%20PDF
%20locked.pdf
http://www.laserist.org/Laserist/showbasics_laser.html
http://affleap.com/laser-ignition-system-to-replace-sparkplugs/