We use a nonintrusive optical technique for heterodyne detection of the light
scattered elastically by the molecules of a moving transparent gas, a phenomenon
known as Rayleigh scattering. It can be shown that the signal that comes out of the
photodetector is proportional to the spatial Fourier transform as a function of time of
the density fluctuations, for a wave vector given by the optical set-up. This is the
only technique we are aware of that can study density fluctuations
inside a
flow.
In this paper we present results obtained from a supersonic axisymmetric air jet.
The signal that comes out of the photodetector is processed, and the power spectrum
calculated. In the spectrum, density fluctuations of two different origins
can be identified: acoustic, that is, those that propagate at the speed of
sound and are related to pressure variations, and entropic, those that have
constant pressure and are convected by the flow. At certain locations we
have found an additional peak related to the interaction between the flow
and the shock structure. Furthermore, Rayleigh scattering can be used to
visualize the shock structure of the flow. We provide supporting images for our
results.
Laboratorio de Acústica
Facultad de Ciencias
Ciudad Universitaria
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Avenida Universidad 3000
Col. Copilco el Bajo, Del. Coyoacán
Distrito Federal 04510
Mexico
Laboratorio de Acústica
Facultad de Ciencias
Ciudad Universitaria
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Avenida Universidad 3000
Col. Copilco el Bajo, Del. Coyoacán
Distrito Federal 04510
Mexico
Laboratorio de Acústica
Facultad de Ciencias
Ciudad Universitaria
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Avenida Universidad 3000
Col. Copilco el Bajo, Del. Coyoacán
Distrito Federal 04510
Mexico