Transition analysis by surface temperature mapping using liquid crystals

The determination of the transonic position on a two-dimensional model is a n important subject of studies in the ONERA CERT T2 cryogenic wind tunnel. The use of liquid crystals with a specific methodology of calibration, acqu isition and image processing allowed to go beyond the usual stage of qualit ative imaging and to determine the temperature map on the surface of the mo del, the variation with time of this temperature and to know the,precise lo cation of the laminar/turbulent transition (C) Elsevier, Paris.