Optically recording velocity interferometer system configurations and impact of target surface reflectance properties...

The utility of the optically recording velocity interferometer system (ORVIS) diagnostic to be configured to meet specific experimental needs in terms of line- and surface-imaging modes enabling direct control of the spatial, temporal, and velocity sensitivities is presented along with two case studies of gas gun testing with highly heterogeneous materials. These experiments have successfully coupled two and three ORVIS interferometers onto a single experiment. Light collection from the target reflector is of critical importance to successful test execution. By utilizing the established field of electromagnetic wave scattering from rough surfaces, the reflectance characteristics of several ORVIS reflectors are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in terms of the surface roughness statistics, power spectral density, and bidirectional reflectance distribution function. Insights into the impact of the surfaces on ORVIS image records are quantified. Through method development for quantitatively characterizing reflector surfaces, future experimentation can begin with an ability to tailor a reflector to a given test material and experimental arrangement.