title: Laser-based volumetric flow visualization by digital color imaging of a spectrally coded volume.
abstract: We present the framework for volumetric laser-based flow visualization instrumentation using a spectrally coded volume to achieve three-component three-dimensional particle velocimetry. By delivering light from a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser with an optical fiber, we exploit stimulated Raman scattering within the fiber to generate a continuum spanning the visible spectrum from 500 to 850 nm. We shape and disperse the continuum light to illuminate a measurement volume of 20 x 10 x 4 mm(3), in which light sheets of differing spectral properties overlap to form an unambiguous color variation along the depth direction. Using a digital color camera we obtain images of particle fields in this volume. We extract the full spatial distribution of particles with depth inferred from particle color. This paper provides a proof of principle of this instrument, examining the spatial distribution of a static field and a spray field of water droplets ejected by the nozzle of an airbrush.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Lasers and Applications, Department of Physics, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia. tmcgreg@ics.mq.edu.au
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Coutts
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods