Modern Optical Methods in Gas Dynamic Research

This volume is based on material prepared by the contributors to the symposium on 'Progress in Gas Dynamic Research by Optical Methods', held on May 25-26, 1970 in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Syracuse University. The contents focus on experimental and analytical aspects of contemporary op- tical methods as applied in modern research on high speed and/or high temperature gaseous flows. State of the art, recent research results and possible research applications of spectroscopy, spectral interferometry, pulse laser holographic interferometry, laser as a diagnostic and plasma generating tool and the analysis of plasma by light scattering constitute part of the subject matter of this vol- ume. The emerging importance and impact of recent laser developments on optical diagnostics of gas dynamic and gas-physics phenomena is a recurring theme throughout the volume. Diverse applications of the shock tube to process gases to high temperature equilibrium conditions and the study of important char- acteristics of these radiating gases by contemporary spectroscopic methods are discussed in papers by Nicholls, Wurster and Wares, et al. Refractivity index measurements have long been extensively used for investigating gas dynamic and aerodynamic flows. However, the recent availability of the laser as a light source has brought sig- nificant improvements in the more conventional optical methods such as schlieren photography and interferometry as reported here in Alcock's paper. More recent laser developments have resulted in several com- pletely new optical diagnostic methods.