Combustion-zone chemical sensing system and associated method

An optical head for sensing a combustion zone, comprising:

• pitch reflective optics that collimate MIR electromagnetic energy from an input fiber towards a reflector, the pitch reflective optics positioned in the optical head on a first side of the combustion zone;
• catch reflective optics that focus MIR electromagnetic energy into an output fiber, reflected from the reflector, the catch reflective optics positioned in the optical head on the first side of the combustion zone;
• and
• an alignment housing that interfaces with structure adjacent the combustion zone and that is configured to hold and position the pitch reflective optics and catch reflective optics with respect to the combustion zone.

A method for determining gas concentration within a combustion zone, comprising:

• providing an alignment housing comprising pitch reflective optics and catch reflective optics;
• interfacing the alignment housing with structure adjacent the combustion zone;
• collimating mid-infrared (MIR) electromagnetic energy exiting from an input fiber to traverse the combustion zone via the pitch reflective optics;
• focusing MIR electromagnetic energy reflected from the combustion zone to an output fiber via the catch reflective optics;
• and
• holding and positioning the pitch reflective optics and catch reflective optics at a first side of the combustion zone.