Doppler Laser Radar for Non-Intrusive Liquid Metal Flow Characterization

65128 Flowing liquid metals are being investigated as heat removal surfaces in fusion reactors. This project will develop non-invasive diagnostics using Doppler laser radar to study the flow characteristics of these systems, (including film thickness, velocity, and instabilities) under fusion operating conditions. In Phase I, a conceptual design of the Doppler laser radar was completed, and plans were made to design and build a prototype device in Phase II in collaboration with a manufacturing company involved in laser radar technology. The prototype device will be tested to assure that all specified requirements are satisfied, and the commercialization potential of the device will be evaluated for different (fusion as well as non-fusion) applications. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In fusion research, the technique should have application to the non-intrusive precision measurement of plasma facing surfaces (liquid as well as solid). The ability to simultaneously measure position as well as velocity of targets, remotely and precisely, also should find application in such areas as material processing, production lines, as well as in situations with harsh environments.