Rapid compression machine with electrical drive and methods for use thereof

A system, comprising:

• a chamber housing having a viewing portion or window that is substantially transparent to optical radiation;
• a piston disposed within the chamber housing;
• an electrical drive coupled to the piston and constructed to convert electrical power into linear motion of the piston within the chamber housing,
• wherein the chamber housing and the piston together define a reaction chamber, and
• wherein linear motion of the piston within the chamber housing changes a volume of the reaction chamber;
• at least one of a light source and a light detector;
• and
• a control system comprising a first signal output coupled to the electrical drive and a second signal output coupled to the at least one of the light source and the light detector, wherein the control system is configured to synchronize operation of the at least one of the light source and the light detector with operation of the electrical drive,
• wherein the control system is configured to determine whether a quenching criteria is met, and based on a determination that the quenching criteria is met, provide a signal via the first signal output to the electrical drive to provide reverse motion of the piston.