Aero-Optical Wave-Front Characterization System

To provide the Air Force with the capability of measuring optical wave-front properties around aerodynamic structures in wind tunnels, Innovation Associates proposes to develop a High-Speed, Aero-Optical Wave-frong Characterization System (AWCS) which is capable of recording 64,000 or higher wave-front phase measurements per second. AWCS will consist of three subsystems: (a) an innovative high speed image recording system capable of recording approximately 1000 wave-front measurements at 64 kHz onto an optical buffer; (b) a real-time interferometer capable of providing 256x256 resolution wave-front measurements per pulse; and (c) a pulsed copper vapor laser system capable of delivering 64 kHz illumination pulses/sec. After acquiring the wave-front data, a computer will digitize the stored data, archive it to an optical disk, and analyze it to generate wave-front phase maps and data on the spatial correlation and shape of turbulent regions in the boundary layer. The wave-front measurements will be synchronized with other wind tunnel diagnostics to provide a high temporal resolution link between the fluid mechanical and optical diagnostic measurements. During Phase I, Innovation Associates will demonstrate the feasibility of developing AWCS.