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At least 91 records · Page 5

Method of vibration analysis using holographic interferometry and heterodyne optical detection

A method of studying thin plate vibrations with the aid of a laser beam is discussed. Through a suitable combination of time-average holographic interferometry, real-time holographic interferometry, and heterodyne optical detection, it is possible to obtain complete information on the vibration parameters of modes, amplitudes, frequencies, and phases. The method has the advantage of three dimensional global observation, noncontact, and high precision measurements.

Vlad, V. I.

A demonstration of an independent-station radio interferometry system with 4-cm precision on a 16-km base line

Radio interferometry promises eventually to measure directly, with accuracies of a few centimeters, both whole earth motions and relative crustal motions with respect to an 'inertial' reference frame. Interferometry measurements of arbitrarily long base lines require, however, the development of new techniques for independent-station observation. In connection with the development of such techniques, a series of short base line demonstration experiments has been conducted between two antennas. The experiments were related to a program involving the design of independent-station instrumentation capable of making three-dimensional earth-fixed base line measurements with an accuracy of a few centimeters. Attention is given to the instrumentation used in the experiments, aspects of data analysis, and the experimental results.

Thomas, J. B.

Results and future uses of heterodyne spatial interferometry at 11 microns

Properties of circumstellar dust shells are examined by heterodyne spatial interferometry at 11-micron wavelength. Over the course of the past two years, observations have been made for ten different sources including various M-type supergiants, Mira variables, and other peculiar infrared stars. These objects exhibit a variety of features which help determine the properties of circumstellar dust. The results obtained on four of these objects, for which the data are reasonably extensive, are presented. The future of IR heterodyne interferometry is highlighted.

Sutton, E. C.

Aero-optical characterization of aircraft optical turrets by holography, interferometry and shadowgraph

Density variations in the aircraft boundary layer, turret wakes and shock waves create distortion of an optical wavefront through associated refractive index variations. Such effects can be observed directly through optical flow visualization. The application of holographic interferometry, wave shearing interferometry, and laser shadowgraph to observe and quantify such effects is described. Examples of the results from five different wind tunnel tests are presented. The examples show that diagnostics have provided valuable qualitiative and quantitiative data. These include (1) wake dimensions, (2) optical strength of the flow field, (3) turbulence characterization, (4) shock location, and (5) direct observation of areo-optical effects.

Trolinger, J. D.

Results of a demonstration of the use of Differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry data for precise navigation of interplanetary spacecraft

A set of experiments in the use of Differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry for spacecraft navigation have been completed. Data using both Voyager spacecraft and a single quasar were acquired during the Jupiter encounter time period. The data were processed and analyzed in order to assess the navigation accuracy of Differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry. The paper focuses on the data reduction and techniques for assessing data quality and consistency.

Christensen, C. S.

Zonal and meridional circulation of the lower atmosphere of Venus determined by radio interferometry

The results of the Pioneer Venus differential long-baseline interferometry experiment are presented. The velocity component of the Pioneer probes as they fell to the surface of Venus was calculated from the Doppler shift of the received signal, and the other two orthogonal components were determined by long-baseline interferometry. The ambient wind velocity was about 1 m/s or less near the surface of the planet and about 100 m/s at an altitude of about 65 km at all four probe locations. Strata of high wind shear were found at altitudes of 15, 45, and 60 km. The wind velocity was always directed within a few degrees of due west except at a few km above the surface. The dominant motion of the lower atmosphere seems to be a retrograde zonal rotation, and eddies appear to account for most of the instantaneous meridional velocity. The data suggest that, within the clouds, a thermally driven mean meridional circulation is superimposed upon the much more rapid zonal rotation.

Counselman, C. C., III

Advances in Moire interferometry for thermal response of composites

An experimental technique for the precise measurement of the thermal response of both sides of a laminated composite coupon specimen uses Moire interferometry with fringe multiplication which yields a sensitivity of 833 nm (32.8 micro in.) per fringe. The reference gratings used are virtual gratings and are formed by partially mirrorized glass prisms in close proximity to the specimen. Results are compared with both results obtained from tests which used Moire interferometry on one side of composite laminates, and with those predicted by classical lamination theory. The technique is shown to be capable of producing the sensitivity and accuracy necessary to measure a wide range of thermal responses and to detect small side to side variations in the measured response. Tests were conducted on four laminate configurations of T300/5208 graphite epoxy over a temperature range of 297 K (75 F) to 422 K (300 F). The technique presented allows for the generation of reference gratings for temperature regimes well outside that used in these tests.

Brooks, E. W., Jr.

Measurement of Three-dimensional Density Distributions by Holographic Interferometry and Computer Tomography

The use of holographic interferometry to measure two and threedimensional flows and the interpretation of multiple-view interferograms with computer tomography are discussed. Computational techniques developed for tomography are reviewed. Current research topics are outlined including the development of an automated fringe readout system, optimum reconstruction procedures for when an opaque test model is present in the field, and interferometry and tomography with strongly refracting fields and shocks.

Vest, C. M.

Coherence limits for very-long-baseline interferometry

The quality of the frequency standards used in very-long-baseline interferometry (VBLI) limits the coherent integration time and the accuracy of geodetic experiments except in special cases when clock instabilities can be made to cancel out by using differential interferometry. Formulas are derived for estimating the coherence of these interferometers from the Allan variances of the frequency standards. Experiments using extremely high-quality frequency standards, such as hydrogen masers, may be limited by the phase noise that results from atmospheric and ionospheric fluctuations.

Rogers, A. E. E.

Laser holographic interferometry for an unsteady airfoil in dynamic stall

Laser holographic interferometry was used to study a two-dimensional NACA 0012 airfoil undergoing dynamic stall. The airfoil, fabricated from graphite fiber and epoxy, was tested at Mach numbers of 0.3 to 0.6, at Reynolds numbers of 500,000-2,000,000, at reduced frequencies of 0.015 to 0.15, and at mean angles of attack of 0-10 deg with amplitudes of 10 deg. Density and pressure fields were obtained from dual-plate interferograms. Double-pulse interferograms, which seemed to show the wake boundaries better, were also taken. Comparisons of pressures with orifice pressures were good for the attached flow cases. For the separated flow cases, which had a vortex enbedded in the flow, the comparisons were poor. Vortices, wake structures, and the dynamic stall process can be seen by holographic interferometry.

Lee, G.

Flow-field measurements on an airfoil with an oscillating trailing-edge using holographic interferometry

Holographic interferometry data were acquired on an NACA 64A010 airfoil with an oscillating flap. The airfoil was installed in the Ames 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel between splitter plates. Recordings were made at discrete phase angles of the oscillation. The interferometry results provided detailed flow visualization of the shock boundary-layer interaction and the separated flow. Quantitative results were extracted from the interferograms to produce pressure data. These results were compared to the surface pressures obtained with the surface pressure taps. Excellent agreement was found for low angles of incidence. At larger angles of incidence, the flow had greater three-dimensionality, and the results were not in good agreement in some regions of the flow field. Mach contours were traced for representative flow conditions. Wake profiles were also obtained using the assumption of constant pressure across the wake and the Crocco relationship.

Bachalo, W. D.

Interferometry Measures Elliptical Satellite Orbits

Very-long-baseline interferometry offers advantages over conventional Doppler measurements. Conference paper shows feasibility of using data from very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) to locate and predict motion of satellites in highly elliptical orbits about Earth. VLBI data obtained from Deep Space Network. Data not only improves navigation accuracy but also acquired with less use of worldwide network of ground stations.

Frauenholz, R. B.

Deformations and strains in adhesive joints by moire interferometry

Displacement fields in a thick adherend lap joint and a cracked lap shear specimen were measured by high sensitivity moire interferometry. Contour maps of in-plane U and V displacements were obtained across adhesive and adherent surfaces. Loading sequences ranged from modest loads to near-failure loads. Quantitative results are given for displacements and certain strains in the adhesive and along the adhesive/adherend boundary lines. The results show nonlinear displacements and strains as a function of loads or stresses and they show viscoelastic or time-dependent response. Moire interferometry is an excellent method for experimental studies of adhesive joint performance. Subwavelength displacement resolution of a few micro-inches, and spatial resolution corresponding to 1600 fringes/inch (64 fringes/mm), were obtained in these studies. The whole-field contour maps offer insights not available from local measurements made by high sensitivity gages.

Post, D.

A comparison of electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry for flow measurements

Electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry are compared as methods for the accurate measurement of refractive index and density change distributions of phase objects. Experimental results are presented to show that the two methods have comparable accuracy for measuring the first derivative of the interferometric fringe shift. The phase object for the measurements is a large crystal of KD*P, whose refractive index distribution can be changed accurately and repeatably for the comparison. Although the refractive index change causes only about one interferometric fringe shift over the entire crystal, the derivative shows considerable detail for the comparison. As electronic phase measurement methods, both methods are very accurate and are intrinsically compatible with computer controlled readout and data processing. Heterodyne moire is relatively inexpensive and has high variable sensitivity. Heterodyne holographic interferometry is better developed, and can be used with poor quality optical access to the experiment.

Decker, A. J.

Practical aspects of laser holographic interferometry in wind tunnels

Practical aspects of using laser holographic interferometry in some NASA Ames wind tunnels are presented. These aspects include the development of techniques for dual-plate interferometry, optics alignment, and laser alignment. In addition, methods to alleviate problems associated with vibration, photographic processing, photographic drying, and photographic reconstruction are discussed.

Licursi, J.

Beam-modulation methods in quantitative and flow visualization holographic interferometry

This report discusses heterodyne holographic interferometry and time-average holography with a frequency shifted reference beam. Both methods will be used for the measurement and visualization of internal transonic flows, where the target facility is a flutter cascade. The background and experimental requirements for both methods are reviewed. Measurements using heterodyne holographic interferometry are presented. The performance of the laser required for time-average holography of time-varying transonic flows is discussed.

Decker, A.