Visualization study on the thermo-hydrodynamic phenomena induced by pulsative heating in He II by the use of a laser holographic interferometer

Abstract

A visualization method for cryogenic thermo-hydrodynamic phenomena is established by using a laser holographic interferometer. The technique is applied to the study of some transient heat transfer, that is the thermal shock wave propagation and onset of boiling in He II. All these phenomena are induced by a pulsative heating from a thin-film planar heater. The evolution of an initial trapezoidal thermal pulse into a thermal shock wave and the subsequent propagation is visualized at various temperatures. The temperature rise due to diffusive process caused by the action of high density vortices, that is the formation of a thermal boundary layer adjacent to the heater, and subsequent boiling are observed. The finite-amplitude pressure wave is found to be generated in response to the onset of pulsative heating. Further, a visualization of evaporation from an He II free surface caused by the incidence of a thermal shock wave is made and the propagating speed of the vapor front is measured from visualization photos.