Experimental study of the thermal diffusivity of molten carbonates by the forced Rayleigh scattering method with a carbon dioxide laser

A new apparatus has been developed to measure the thermal diffusivity of liquids by the forced Rayleigh scattering method with a carbon dioxide laser. In order to develop a practical forced Rayleigh scattering apparatus applicable to a wide range of substances and conditions, a free-surface heating technique has been invented. The thermal diffusivity of molten carbonates (Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, and K₂CO₃) in the temperature range up to 1445 K has been measured. The accuracy was estimated to be 8%-17%, depending on the carbonate measured.