Single-Camera Method to Determine the Optical Axis Position of Ellipsoidal Drops

The sizing of droplets by optical imaging typically requires a small depth of field so that variations in the magnification ratio are minimized. However, if the location of the drop along the optical axis can be determined, a variable magnification ratio can be imposed on each imaged drop, and the depth of field can be increased. Previous research suggested that droplet location can be determined with a characteristic of droplet images that is obtained when the droplet is illuminated from behind. In this prior research, the method was demonstrated with spherical glass objects to simulate raindrops. Raindrops are known to deviate significantly from a spherical shape, especially when the drop size is large. We demonstrate the ability to locate the position of objects that deviate from sphericity. Deformed water drops and glass ellipsoids are tested, along with glass spheres. The role of refractive index is also discussed.