Laser-induced incandescence: Excitation and detection conditions, material transformations and calibration

Successful implementation of laser-induced incandescence (LII) relies upon judicious choice of excitation and detection conditions. Excitation conditions encompass choice of excitation wavelength and laser fluence. Detection conditions include choice of detection wavelength, spectral band pass about the central wavelength, detection delay and duration relative to the excitation laser pulse usually corresponding to the peak of the signal intensity. Examples of applying these parameters to LII are illustrated by way of examples: soot/polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal aerosol systems. Tradeoffs must be recognized. Laser-induced chemical and structural changes of the aerosol must be considered, particularly in light of heterogeneous aerosols. Diagnostics of such changes are outlined as they will affect interpretation of the LII signal. Finally, calibration (for LII) must be chosen to be appropriate for aerosols from practical sources as they may be mixed organic and inorganic composition.