Planar imaging for 3D flow visualization

We describe and demonstrate a system for creating `snapshots' of instantaneous 3-dimensional flow structures in turbulent flows and flames. An image converter camera operating at 10 million frames per second provides up to 20 frames of planar flow visualization at successive planes within the flow. Coupled to the image converter by fiber optics, a slow-scan CCD camera records the image converter output as a single CCD image. Successive flow planes are visualized by scanning a laser sheet through the flow with visualization by particulate scattering or laser-induced fluorescence. In previous papers, we have described the system requirements and initial results. In this paper, we provide empirical characterization of the system hardware and a selection of instantaneous 3-D measurements.