On the wavenumber spectra for sound within subsonic jets

This paper explores the nature of sound spectra within subsonic jets. Three problems of increasing complexity are presented. First, a point source is placed in a two-dimensional plug flow and the sound field is obtained analytically. Second, a point source is embedded in a diverging axisymmetric jet and the sound field is obtained by solving the linearized Euler equations. Finally, an analysis of the acoustic waves propagating through a turbulent jet obtained by direct numerical simulation is presented. In each problem, the pressure or density field is analyzed in the frequency-wavenumber domain. It is found that acoustic waves can be classified into three main frequency-dependent groups. A physical justification is provided for this classification. The main conclusion is that, at low Strouhal numbers, acoustic waves satisfy the d'Alembertian dispersion relation.