Light Scattering in Turbulent and Laminar Flames

Abstract

The scattering of light in flames, both turbulent and laminar, is investigated using line and continuum sources of excitation. The wave-length dependence, angular distribution, and polarization of the scattered intensity are measured. Only with the laminar flames does the wave-length dependence of the scattered intensity approximate the λ⁻⁴ relationship of Rayleigh scattering. Contrary to the predictions of the theory for Rayleigh scattering, the scattering is not symmetric about 90°. The variation of intensity and polarization of the scattered light at different angles is stressed from the analytical point of view. In atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, the ratio of the fluorescence intensity to the scattered intensity can be considerably improved by the use of polarizers.