Laser tomography for flow structure analysis

A laser tomography system is described that is intended for three-dimensional visualization and analysis of the processes occurring in hydromechanical and gasdynamic flows. Optical schemes are given of three-dimensional illumination 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, and the resultant digital images are processed and reconstructed using computer techniques which make it possible to display three-dimensional images of the "frozen" surface structure of flow in different directions. Commercially available standard software packages are used for image and data processing. Results are given of the experimental investigation of a free jet flow by means of optical tomography.