LAUSR

Abstract Graphite oxidation is investigated at varying porosity and laser irradiance, resulting in surface temperatures of 1500–3100 K. Samples are irradiated using a 1.07 µm fiber laser at irradiances of 1000 and 3600 W/cm2 in dry air environment (20% O2, − 1 spectral resolution, 0.5 mm/pixel spatial resolution, and data cube rates of 1 Hz. Spectral signatures from CO and CO2 are predominant in the 1800–2500 cm − 1 spectral region. A radiative transfer model is used to infer species concentration and temperature from the hyperspectral data, resulting in 2D characterization of the reacting boundary layer. Plume temperatures of up to 2500 K are observed. CO and CO2 populations are correlated with surface temperature, with a general trend of [ CO ] / [ CO 2 ] = 10 exp ( − 5 , 200 / T s ) . A simplified model incorporating diffusion transport and surface kinetics is presented to assess the relative strengths of the S1) 2 C + O 2 ⇒ 2 CO , S2) C + CO 2 ⇒ 2 CO , and S3) C + O 2 ⇒ CO 2 surface oxidation mechanisms. The role of kinetic and transport mechanisms is discussed.