Small Sub-Micron-Particle Position-Resolving Laser-Doppler Velocimeter for High-Speed Flows

The technical objectives of this proposed work are to develop and prove the use of LDV and CompLDV for particle-position-resolving and flow velocity profile measurements using small sub-micron particles or facility-residual particles in higher speed test flows, making use of new hardware capabilities, miniature optical probe head designs for versatile use in facilities and models, and signal processing techniques that have not been simultaneously implemented. With the optical system feature, the expected results from this multi-SBIR-Phase work are improved low-collected-light LDV technology and a completely functional multi-velocity-component CompLDV system that can be used with only facility residual or small sub-micron seeding particles in low-speed and high-speed flow facilities for low uncertainty particle position and low uncertainty velocity profile measurements. Methods to generate 50 to 200 nanometer particles and clean evaporating particles for in situ local seeding in flow facilities appear to be possible and need to be examined for practical implementation in NASA facilities. Phase-Doppler anemometry signal processing will be used to determine the size of larger particles. The known measurement volume fringe light intensity variation for the LDV and CompLDV and light scattering theory also will be used to determine an estimate of particle size.