Multi-point laser ignition of internal combustion engines using a spatial light modulator

Multi-point laser ignition (LI) is one of the key potential advantages that LI can offer over conventional spark ignition (SI). Previous research found that multi-point ignition produced more stable and faster combustion. This paper demonstrates a diffractive multi-point LI technology which is experimentally attempted at Liverpool University Laser Group. Sparks with arbitrary geometrical location in three dimensions are created by diffractive multi-beam through an optical plug. The diffractive multi-beam patterns are generated using a spatial light modulator (SLM) on which computer generated holograms (CGHs) are displayed. A Gratings and Lenses (GL) algorithm is used to accurately modulate the phase of the input laser beam and create multi-beam output.

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