title: Phase contrast flow visualization.
abstract: The properties and elementary theory of the method of phase contrast are discussed with respect to quantitative gas flow visualization. A more detailed diffraction theory of phase contrast that predicts the non-linearities of the method such as image differentiation, halos, and fringes is outlined. This diffraction theory is implemented computationally using discrete Fourier transform techniques, and several examples are discussed. Some experimental results, obtained with a phase contrast system and several flows, are shown.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Taylor