Pulsed Laser Holographic Tomography Velocity Sensor System

To address the Navy need for an innovative approach to measure three-component airflow velocity in the vicinity of a full-scale helicopter, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Pulsed Laser Holographic Tomography Velocity Sensor (PLAHTOV) system. The proposed system is based on high-speed, time-sampled full-field double-pulsed laser holographic recording and tomography interferogram processing to generate the instantaneous 3D flow field velocity data. The innovation in the use of double-pulsed laser holographic tomography with the novel use of high-speed real-time holographic recording system will enable the PLAHTOV to measure the three-component airflow velocities of very large flow field. As a result, this sensor system offers high precision data over a continuous full-filed large flow volume without electromagnetic interference (EMI) or intrusion by sensing elements, with high spatial/temporal resolution (2 cm/5 kHz), which directly address the Navy PMA-275 and V-22 Joint Program Office requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of PLAHTOV measurement system by system design, performance analysis, and laboratory experiments leading to a demonstration prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to develop and build a full-scale prototype system to measure the downwash in the vicinity of a helicopter hovering near a vertical face.