Accuracy of pressure-sensitive paint

Uncertainty in pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) measurement is investigated f rom a standpoint of system modeling. A functional relation between the imag ing system output and luminescent emission from PSP is obtained based on st udies of radiative energy transports in PSP and photodetector response to l uminescence. This relation provides insights into physical origins of vario us elemental error sources and allows an estimate of the total PSP measurem ent uncertainty contributed by the elemental errors. The elemental errors a nd their sensitivity coefficients in the error propagation equation are eva luated. Useful formulas are given for the minimum pressure uncertainty that PSP can possibly achieve, as are the upper bounds of the elemental errors to meet required pressure accuracy, An instructive example of a Joukowsky a irfoil in subsonic flows is given to illustrate uncertainty estimates in PS P measurements.