Hypersonic Wake Studies Using Optical Emission Species Detection with an AC Plasma Anemometer

The Navy, through its SBIR topic N202-145, is seeking an innovative methodology and a robust technique to quantify flow variables in the wake of a bluff body in hypersonic fluid applications. Spectral Energies, LLC (SE) and its academic partners at the University of Notre Dame (UND) propose to develop a velocity and gas composition sensor capable of withstanding high temperatures of 1,100 o C (2,012 o F). The sensor will take advantage of the teams’ existing plasma sensor technology that has the demonstrated capability to make velocity and pressure measurements in austere environments such as a gas turbine augmentor or hypersonic wind tunnels.  Additionally, a key objective will be the development of packaging approaches to satisfy the requirements of satellite or other flight vehicle integration with payloads less than 1000 cubic cm. Development and validation of the sensor will be performed in a series of benchmark experiments designed to measure turbulence and optical spectra in conditions of high enthalpy and Mach number in the presence of real-gas effects.