Light Field Imaging of Spectral Emissions from Particle and Gas Phases in Reacting Supersonic Flows

A method is proposed for obtaining volumetrically resolved measurements of emission intensity in a missile plume at multiple wavelength bands selected to characterize features of interest for studies of plume signature, thermal radiation loads, and visual emission hazards. The method involves light field imaging with a plenoptic camera, and will utilize state-of-the-art data processing methods for separating object planes at different depths within a continuously emitting volume. We will develop strategies to extract properties of interest over the three dimensions of the plume, including particle temperature, particle mass fraction, concentrations of excited state radical species, and concentrations of ground state OH radical. The Phase I will establish feasibility and help define the limits of instantaneous 3D spatial resolution in a high temperature particle-laden flow.