Application of holographic interferometry to a three-dimensional flow field

Abstract

The objectives of this work were to develop a holographic interferometry system to measure density distributions about a generic maneuvering reentry vehicle in a hypersonic wind tunnel, to analyze the acquired data for insight into the physics of the flow, and to validate the code used for reference. A dual-plate micropositioner and a digital phase detection technique were used to resolve wavefront phase from the interferograms. An algebraic reconstruction technique was used to solve the ill-posed, linear set of equations that result from a series expansion of the density field. Holographic interferometry was shown to be a viable technique for acquiring the data needed to reconstruct 3D density fields in a hypersonic wind tunnel.