A Laser-Based Diagnostic Suite for Hypersonic Test Facilities

In this SBIR effort, Los Gatos Research (LGR) proposes to develop a suite of laser-based diagnostics for the study of reactive and non-reactive hypersonic flows. These sensors will include both in situ and line-of-sight measurements of several critical parameters including gas temperature, velocity, and composition. Both established near-infrared and emerging mid-infrared laser sources will be utilized to make highly-accurate measurements via tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry. The SBIR instrument will be the first system capable of providing real-time, rapid quantification of these important combustion parameters in NASA's hypersonic wind tunnels. Such quantification is essential to the development of improved reactive CFD models and subsequent hypersonic propulsion systems for future aerospace vehicles.