Schlieren Photography - Learn How It's Produced & Used

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In summary, the conversation discusses the production and physical principles of Schlieren photographs, which are commonly used in wind tunnels to visualize flows. It is revealed that a pressure gradient and subsequent density gradient are necessary for the production of the image, which can be revealed through specific lighting techniques. The conversation also includes a correction and thanks for the explanation provided.
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Clausius2
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I've been googling for some time but I haven't found anything interesting about.

Does anybody know here how is produced a Schileren photograph and which are its physical principles? It is used a lot visualizing flows at wind tunnels. But I don't know what does it represent physically and which is the mechanism for producing the image.

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
A pressure gradient is necessary to force flow; that gradient implies a density gradient in any real fluid, and that implies a refractive index gradient. Illumination with a collimated source, or imaging with a high f-stop, reveals all density gradients that are not parallel to the direction of illumination as bright (converged light) or dark (diverged rays) on a film or shadow screen.

add this ---- SCHLIEREN
 
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  • #3
OOPPS! Thanks for the correction.

And thanks for your explanation. Thank you very much. :smile:
 

1. What is Schlieren photography?

Schlieren photography is a high-speed imaging technique that captures images of invisible air movements, such as shock waves and heat convection. It is used to visualize the changes in air density caused by these movements, creating visible patterns that are not normally visible to the naked eye.

2. How is Schlieren photography produced?

Schlieren photography is produced using a Schlieren setup, which includes a light source, a knife edge, and a lens. The light source casts a beam of light onto the object being studied, and the knife edge blocks some of the light. The lens then focuses the remaining light onto a camera, creating contrast in the image based on the density changes in the air caused by the object's movements.

3. What is Schlieren photography used for?

Schlieren photography has many applications in scientific research and engineering. It can be used to study aerodynamics, analyze the performance of aircraft and rockets, visualize shock waves and supersonic flows, and study heat and fluid dynamics. It is also used in medical research to study airflow in the respiratory system.

4. Is Schlieren photography difficult to set up?

Setting up a Schlieren photography setup can be challenging, as it requires precise alignment of the light source, knife edge, and lens. Additionally, the camera must be able to capture high-speed images and have the appropriate settings for the specific application. However, with proper knowledge and equipment, it can be successfully set up for various experiments and research projects.

5. Can Schlieren photography be used in real-time?

Yes, Schlieren photography can be used in real-time, but it depends on the speed of the phenomena being studied and the capabilities of the camera being used. High-speed cameras are necessary to capture the rapid changes in air density, and the setup must be properly calibrated to ensure accurate and real-time results.

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