Activation of chain processes in combustible mixtures by laser excitation of molecular vibrations of reactants

The combustion kinetics of H$_2$-air mixtures containing small amounts ($<$1%) of ozone is analyzed for the case of excitation of asymmetric vibrations of O$_3$ molecules by CO$_2$ laser radiation with a wavelength of $\approx$9.7 $\mu$m. It is shown that the irradiation leads to acceleration of the collisional dissociation of O$_3$ molecules, activation of the chain ignition mechanism, and a decrease in the induction period and ignition temperature. The excitation of asymmetric vibrations of O$_3$ molecules by the CO$_2$ laser radiation is 10–10$^3$ times more effective than the currently used method of combustion initiation based on local heating of a medium by IR radiation.