Investigation of optical properties of aging soot

The optical properties of soot, in particular the propensity of soot to absorb and scatter light as a function of wavelength, are key parameters for the correct interpretation of soot optical diagnostics. An overview of the data available in the literature highlights the differences in the reported optical properties of aging soot. In many cases, the properties of mature soot are used when evaluating in-flame soot but this assumption might not be suitable for all conditions and should be checked. This need has been demonstrated by performed spectral resolved line-of-sight attenuation (Spec-LOSA) measurements on an ethylene/air premixed and non-premixed flame. Transmission electron microscopy of thermophoretically sampled soot was also performed to qualify the soot aging and to establish soot morphology in order to correct light extinction coefficients for the scattering contribution. The measured refractive index absorption function, E(m)λ, showed a very strong spectral dependence which also varied with height above the burner for both flames. However, above 700 nm, the slope of the refractive index function was near zero for both flames and all measurement heights. The upper visible and near infrared wavelengths are therefore recommended for soot optical measurements.