A high-repetition-rate shock tube for transient absorption and laser-induced fluorescence studies of high-temperature chemical kinetics
Akira Matsugi
Abstract
A newly constructed high-repetition-rate shock tube designed for kinetic studies of high-temperature reactions using spectroscopic methods is described. The instrument operates at a 0.2-Hz cycle rate with a high reproducibility of reaction conditions that permits extensive signal averaging to improve the quality of kinetic trace data. The density and temperature of the gas behind the reflected shock wave are examined by probing the product formation from reference reactions. Two types of experimental techniques are implemented: transient absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence. Both methods are shown to be suitable for kinetic measurements of elementary reactions, as illustrated by their application in thermal decomposition reactions of the benzyl radicals and trifluoromethane.