Influence of laser incident angle on Laser Breakdown-Assisted Long-distance Discharge Ignition (LBALDI)

We have developed a new volumetric ignition method called Laser Breakdown-Assisted Long-distance Discharge Ignition (LBALDI). In LBALDI, laser breakdown plasma is utilized to assist spark discharge by facilitating formation of ionization channel. It is expected to improve lean ignitability limit by long distance discharge for extended initial flame kernel, which was proved by our previous research. The authors investigated the influence of laser incident angle on the probability of discharge by LBALDI. It was found that discharge was the most successful when the incident laser was directed perpendicular to the discharge path. (author)