Investigation of a Diffraction-Grating Interferometer for Use in Aerodynamic Research

Abstract

A low-cost interferometer that is easy to adjust and has a large field of view is described. This instrument, which is based on a principle discovered by Kraushaar, uses small diffraction gratings to produce and recombine separate beams of light. The usual two-parabolic-mirror schlieren system can be converted inexpensively to a diffraction-grating interferometer. Experimental data are presented to verify the ability of the instrument to provide valid and reliable measurements of air density. Photographs of the flow in a supersonic cascade tunnel are included to indicate the quality of the interferograms obtained.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1952
Accession Number
ADA377225

Entities

People

  • James R. Sterrett
  • John R. Erwin

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Boundary Layer
  • Convection
  • Diffraction
  • Geometry
  • Gratings (Spectra)
  • Interferograms
  • Interferometers
  • Layers
  • Light Sources
  • Mach Number
  • Mach Zehnder Interferometers
  • Measurement
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • White Light

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow