Laser-induced spark ignition of DME-air mixtures in microgravity: Comparison of ignition characteristics between normal gravity and microgravity

This work addressed laser-induced spark ignition (LSI) of dimethyl ether (DME)-air mixtures in a microgravity environment which was simulated in a laboratory-scale drop tower, to study fundamental ignition characteristics in microgravity. A laser-induced spark was adopted as a pilot source because LSI has potential benefits as compared to conventional electrical spark ignition: no wall effects, no heat-loss to electrodes, etc. Ignition...