Laser tomography for flow structure analysis

A laser tomography system is described that is intended for three-dimension al visualization and analysis of the processes occurring in hydromechanical and gasdynamic flows. Optical schemes are given of three-dimensional illum ination of the region being investigated, based on the sweeping light sheet technique. The developed system of optical tomography is used to scan the flow structure being investigated by means of successive optical planes, an d the resultant digital images are processed and reconstructed using comput er techniques which make it possible to display three-dimensional images of the "frozen" surface structure of flow in different directions. Commercial ly available standard software packages are used for image and data process ing. Results are given of the experimental investigation of a free jet flow by means of optical tomography.