Back to results

Virginia Tech

Unbiased Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Measurement Model for Aerodynamic Flows

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The filtered Rayleigh scattering (FRS) optical diagnostic has become an attractive technique for advanced aerodynamic measurements. The appeal of FRS is that it can simultaneously quantify density, temperature, and vector velocity. Additionally, it is entirely non-intrusive to the flow since the technique leverages how laser light scatters off of molecules naturally present in the gas. Acquired FRS data considered herein is in the form of a frequency spectrum. To process this data, a measurement model for the FRS spectrum is used, where inputs to this model are the flow field quantities of interest and the output is a representative FRS spectrum. An iterative procedure on these quantities is performed until the model spectrum matches the measured spectrum. However, as observed in certain applications of this technique, there is a range of measurement configurations where the standard methods to model this spectrum do not agree with measured spectra, even at known flow conditions. This disagreement causes large bias uncertainties in determined flow field quantities. This work leverages a data-driven approach to diagnose this disagreement by utilizing an extensive FRS database. Data analysis indicates that the widely used Tenti S6 model for the Rayleigh scattering lineshape is invalid in certain operating regions. A new Rayleigh lineshape modeling methodology, the Cabannes model, is introduced that vastly improves the agreement between measured and modeled FRS signals. Analysis of the Cabannes model indicates that one only needs to use this modeling methodology for FRS and not laser Rayleigh scattering (LRS). This improved measurement model can be used to mitigate bias uncertainties, and, in turn, improve the reliability of the FRS optical instrument.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Warner, Evan Patrick
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Lowe, Kevin T.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Paterson, Eric G.
  • Nguyen, Vinh
  • Coutier-Delgosha, Olivier

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:42348
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/123831

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Warner, Evan Patrick. Unbiased Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Measurement Model for Aerodynamic Flows. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2024. https://hdl.handle.net/10919/123831