Control of High-Speed Flows Using Helium Injection

Abstract

Here, we summarize the results of our investigation of means for controlling high-speed flows using helium injection, first demonstrated by Auvity et al., with particular emphasis on the wavefront distortion of light transmitted through the boundary layer. Quantitative estimates of wavefront distortion were obtained, with and without helium injection, and new diagnostic techniques were developed, including a MHz rate Hartmann wavefront sensor. In particular, we demonstrated the ability to capture real-time wavefront data in two dimensions using an ultra-fast Shack-Hartmann sensor in hypersonic and transonic turbulent boundary layers. These measurements are unrivalled in their temporal resolution (2 Os), while providing full dimensional information on the planer field. This capability, and the data in themselves, are vital for making accurate and complete estimates of aero-optic distortion due to boundary layer turbulence in air-borne laser applications, and to assess quantitatively the effectiveness of control methods.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 21, 2005
Accession Number
ADA436229

Entities

People

  • Alexander Smits
  • Richard B. Miles

Organizations

  • Princeton University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Detectors
  • Diffraction
  • Distortion
  • Far Field
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Lasers
  • Layers
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Turbulence
  • Turbulent Boundary Layer
  • Turbulent Mixing
  • Wavefronts

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Hypersonics