Sparky system

Working with

and

(PSI), Japanese auto giant

has developed what it says is the world's first technology to measure in-cylinder gas temperatures and a way to analyse the combustion in ‘real-time’ during engine operation.

The temperature measurement system uses the established technology of Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS).

To measure temperature, a laser beam, carried by optical fibres through a probe having the form of a spark plug, is transmitted across a short segment of the cylinder of an engine. The laser beam is then partially absorbed by gases in the cylinder at two discrete wavelengths. And by determining the ratio of absorbance of the laser at the two wavelengths, the gas temperature can be calculated.

Nissan's specific role was in the optical design of temperature probe and overall project management, while Stanford University researchers were in charge of creating the basic concepts and methodology. PSI took charge of laser device development.