Imaging of the Space-time Structure of a Vortex Generator in Supersonic Flow

The fine space-time structure of a vortex generator (VG) in supersonic flow is studied with the nanoparticle-based planar laser scattering (NPLS) method in a quiet supersonic wind tunnel. The fine coherent structure at the symmetrical plane of the flow field around the VG is imaged with NPLS. The spatial structure and temporal evolution characteristics of the vortical structure are analyzed, which demonstrate periodic evolution and similar geometry, and the characteristics of rapid movement and slow change. Because the NPLS system yields the flow images at high temporal and spatial resolutions, from these images the position of a large scale structure can be extracted precisely. The position and velocity of the large scale structures can be evaluated with edge detection and correlation algorithms. The shocklet structures induced by vortices are imaged, from which the generation and development of shocklets are discussed in this paper.