Investigation of the wake region behind a hemispherical turret via laser Rayleigh scattering

Planar and volumetric density measurements in the wake region behind a mounted hemispherical turret are obtained using laser Rayleigh scattering. The measurements are conducted in a Mach 2 wind tunnel facility at the Kirtland Air Force Base. Quantitative measurements of density and contour plots with lines of constant density are computed, thus enabling visualization of the turret wake's fluid dynamics. A new, to the best of our knowledge, laser diagnostic methodology and configuration for capturing laser images is also presented. This methodology enables further suppression of background light scattering. Multi-dimensional single-shot and time-average measurements are recorded at multiple axial locations behind the turret. The images acquired reveal turbulent regions of the wake flow, and a discussion of the observed phenomena is presented.