High-speed Optical Measurement Research Articles

A gravity-driven split Hopkinson tension bar for investigating quasi-ductile and strain-hardening cement-based composites under tensile impact loading

A gravitational split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB) was developed with the goal of enabling an accurate characterization of the mechanical behavior of quasi-ductile cementitious composites in terms of force-deformation (stress-strain) curves under tensile impact loading. The design of the setup targeted additionally compact dimensions, simple operation, high adjustment flexibility, and low construction costs. The testing principle and the quality of the measurements were demonstrated by investigating a strain-hardening cement-based composite (SHCC) made with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers as well as its non-reinforced cementitious matrix at tensile strain rates of up to 200 s−1. The tensile impact tests were accompanied by high-speed optical measurements for subsequent analysis by means of Digital Image Correlation (DIC). In this way the mechanical measurements were double-checked, and the fracture processes in the specimens were analyzed in detail.

OH planar laser-induced fluorescence measurements with high spatio-temporal resolution for the study of auto-ignition.

For the detailed understanding of transient combustion processes, in particular, of auto-ignition, quantitative measurements with high spatio-temporal resolution are desirable. These can, for instance, serve as validation data for time-resolved numerical simulations and in particular for the combustion models used in those simulations. In the current study, a jet-in-hot-coflow (JHC) burner, developed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the DLR JHC, was used to inject a turbulent methane jet into the hot exhaust gas of a lean hydrogen/air flame, and a steady state jet flame was established. In addition, fuel could be injected in a transient manner. Here, an auto-igniting jet was observed. The flame stabilization of the steady state jet flame and the auto-ignition during transient fuel injection were studied using high-speed laser-based and optical measurements. A strategy for quantifying high-speed OH planar laser-induced fluorescence is presented, and the measurement uncertainties are evaluated. The flame stabilization mechanism in steady state jet flames was assessed using probability density functions of the OH concentration at different axial and radial locations. The formation of auto-ignition kernels during transient fuel injection is evaluated based on time series of the OH concentration. It is shown how the OH concentration levels and PDF shapes can be used to characterize the chemical state of the reacting flow and to distinguish between auto-ignition and flame propagation.

High-accuracy optical time delay measurement in fiber link [Invited

Optoelectronic components and subsystems such as optically controlled phased array antennas, distributed radar networks, interferometric optical fiber hydrophones, and high-speed optoelectronic chips demand high-accuracy optical time delay measurement with large measurement range and the capability for single-end and wavelength-dependent measurement. In this paper, the recent advances in the optical time delay measurement of a fiber link with high accuracy are reviewed. The general models of the typical time delay measurement technologies are established with the operational principle analyzed. The performance of these techniques is also discussed.

Longitudinal combustion instability of a pintle injector for a liquid rocket engine combustor

The longitudinal combustion instability characteristics of a pintle injector for a liquid rocket engine combustor are investigated experimentally. The effects of the propellant total momentum ratio (TMR) on the combustion oscillation characteristics and the characteristic exhaust velocity (C*) efficiency are investigated. The time scales of the combustion oscillations are compared with various phenomena in the combustion chamber in order to identify dominating phenomena of each combustion oscillation mode. The target combustion pressure and the propellant mixture ratio are 0.5 MPa and 1.45, respectively. High-speed optical measurements for the CH* chemiluminescence and backlit spray images are also conducted to investigate the oscillating combustion behaviors of the pintle injector. The amplitude of the pressure oscillation (P’) increases with decreasing TMR. When the TMR is 0.73, the P'is approximately 50 % of the average combustion pressure, whereas the P’ decreases to 20 % of the average combustion pressure when the TMR is increased to 2.35. Frequency characteristics of the combustion oscillations are affected by the TMR. When the TMR is smaller than unity, the pressure oscillations at the chamber acoustic natural frequencies are dominant, and the coupling between the heat release rate and the combustion chamber acoustics could occur. When the TMR is increased, low frequency oscillations whose frequencies are smaller than the fundamental natural frequency of the combustion chamber are observed. The time scale of the observed oscillation is close to the residence time of the combustion gas in the combustion chamber, and the convective process could cause the low frequency oscillations.

High-Speed Photography and Digital Optical Measurement Techniques for Geomaterials: Fundamentals and Applications

Geomaterials (i.e. rock, sand, soil and concrete) are increasingly being encountered and used in extreme environments, in terms of the pressure magnitude and the loading rate. Advancing the understanding of the mechanical response of materials to impact loading relies heavily on having suitable high-speed diagnostics. One such diagnostic is high-speed photography, which combined with a variety of digital optical measurement techniques can provide detailed insights into phenomena including fracture, impact, fragmentation and penetration in geological materials. This review begins with a brief history of high-speed imaging. Section 2 discusses of the current state of the art of high-speed cameras, which includes a comparison between charge-coupled device and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor sensors. The application of high-speed photography to geomechanical experiments is summarized in Sect. 3. Section 4 is concerned with digital optical measurement techniques including photoelastic coating, Moire, caustics, holographic interferometry, particle image velocimetry, digital image correlation and infrared thermography, in combination with high-speed photography to capture transient phenomena. The last section provides a brief summary and discussion of future directions in the field.

Evolving one-dimensional transient jet modeling by integrating jet breakup physics

High-speed optical measurements of unsteady liquid fuel jets under engine-like conditions have shown that the initial penetration of the jets does not follow the behavior predicted by previously introduced one-dimensional jet models based on gas-jet principles. The experimental data indicate that the transient jet penetration velocity is initially controlled by the jet exit velocity, transitioning to gas-jet like mixing-dominated penetration further downstream. This behavior is consistent with the common description of high-pressure fuel jets as containing a liquid core surrounded by entrained gas and fuel droplets. In this paper, a new one-dimensional modeling methodology is introduced that couples the transport equations for the evolution of the liquid core of the jet and the surrounding sheath of droplets resulting from breakup. This allows for the penetration of the jet to be initially governed by the liquid core, which is relatively unaffected by the ambient gas, transitioning to spray penetration dominated by the entrained ambient gas. The model also provides a defined jet centerline velocity, which allows for the shape of the radial profiles of fuel velocity and fuel volume fraction to be solved for directly, without the need for a steady-jet assumption, as was used in previous one-dimensional models. This change removes the need for a constant momentum flux assumption, improving the transient nature of the model. The results of the model are validated against the aforementioned optical transient jet measurements. The model and all associated experimental data have been made available for use at rothamer.erc.wisc.edu/dlp .

Optical Measurement of the Dynamic Contact Process of a MEMS Inertial Switch Under High Shock Loads

In order to characterize the dynamic and microscopic contact process of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) inertial switch under high shock loads, a high-speed camera-based optical measurement system was developed. The optical measurement system was successfully employed to visualize and characterize the responding motion of the proof mass and the contact process with the flexible electrodes. In particular, the contact process in a flexible and a rigid mode was compared to investigate the mechanisms of using flexible electrodes to extend the contact time. The constraint performance of the limiting post of the switch was demonstrated as well. Furthermore, the optical results were in fairly good agreement with the results of electrical measurement and numerical predictions.

An investigation of the effect of post-injection schemes on soot reduction potential using optical diagnostics in a single-cylinder optical diesel engine

This work employs a combination of pressure trace analysis, high-speed optical measurements and laser-based techniques for the assessment of the effects of various post-injection schemes on the soo...

Stick and slip mechanisms in the acoustic emissions of ice fracture

Arctic ice noise has been qualitatively described in terms of crashing and cracking noises. Ships navigating through icy waters and colliding with icebergs have reported distinctive cracking sounds characteristic to the specific environmental conditions and the location. Many previous field studies of ice acoustics have been done with measurements from isolated, single hydrophones. These have provided useful physical insights into the ambient noise characteristics of ice, but the underlying mechanisms of the sounds are still not well understood. The mechanical properties of ice have been extensively studied in laboratory settings, but few studies have examined the acoustics emissions during fracture with respect these properties. The salinity content of sea ice can significantly influence fracture. The acoustics of ice fracture in water and air is investigated in laboratory using simultaneous acoustic and high speed optical measurements. Also, the mechanical properties of ice samples as a function of salinity were studied with three point bending. A stick and slip mechanism found in fracture of low salinity ice is supported by an Empirical Mode Decomposition of the acoustic signals.

Measurement and characterization of fully transient diesel fuel jet processes in an optical engine with production injectors

The effects of transient rate-of-injection profiles on high-pressure diesel fuel jets have been studied in an optically accessible internal combustion engine. High-speed optical imaging measurements were applied over a range of ambient conditions, fuel types, and injection parameters. This paper demonstrates that during the early part of the injection, while the liquid core is disintegrating, the penetration is functionally linked to the inviscid orifice exit velocity up until a downstream distance hypothesized to be the jet breakup length. The jets then transitioned to a mixing dominated penetration behavior afterward. Therefore, for cases that exhibit transient rate-of-injection profiles, quasi-steady penetration analytical solutions for penetration have poor agreement with the empirical data. The development of an adaptive edgefinding algorithm for accurately detecting jets in engines is detailed. These findings indicate that empirical correlations widely used throughout the engine community for estimating jet penetration do not accurately represent actual injection parameters under transient conditions.

Adhesive Distribution and Global Deformation between Hybrid Joints

In multi-material-design, e.g. in the automotive industry, mechanical joining processes like self-pierce riveting are well established, because of their amount of advantages. However, adhesive bonding with one-component structural adhesives is increasingly being used. The combination of the specific advantages of both joining techniques in the form of hybrid joints leads to synergies of quality and reliability, such as high corrosion resistance and better damping properties. A critical issue is the generation of global deformations of the different parts of the mechanical joints. These global deformations of the sheet metal between two or more mechanical connectors (e.g. rivets) are caused by the formation of adhesive bags during the riveting process, before the adhesive curing takes place. This research focuses on the time-dependent formation process of these bags. The aim is to achieve a reduction of global deformations based on detailed knowledge of the adhesive flow during the manufacturing of the joint by means of experiments and simulations. For this purpose experimental techniques and measurement methods for deformations over time are presented for different setups of hybrid joint types of self-piercing rivets in combination with adhesive bonding. The challenge is to track rapid and small surface deformations very accurately in the ongoing mechanical joining process. High-speed optical measurement technology like Point-Tracking and surface scanning are used to track the resulting deformations experimentally. Numerical investigations, which include the interaction of the solid matter influenced in the mechanical joining process and the fluid adhesive, are presented. On the basis a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction simulation of a single hybrid joint, a surrogate model for a multi-point hybrid joint is developed. The comparison of experimental data with simulations allows deriving the pressure distribution and flow velocities inside the adhesive layer. The influence of various parameters can be interpreted based on the physics of the interacting system, ultimately resulting in optimization helpful to the automotive industry.

Time-stretch microscopy based on time-wavelength sequence reconstruction from wideband incoherent source

Time-stretch microscopy has emerged as an ultrafast optical imaging concept offering the unprecedented combination of the imaging speed and sensitivity. However, dedicated wideband and coherence optical pulse source with high shot-to-shot stability has been mandated for time-wavelength mapping—the enabling process for ultrahigh speed wavelength-encoded image retrieval. From the practical point of view, exploiting methods to relax the stringent requirements (e.g., temporal stability and coherence) for the source of time-stretch microscopy is thus of great value. In this paper, we demonstrated time-stretch microscopy by reconstructing the time-wavelength mapping sequence from a wideband incoherent source. Utilizing the time-lens focusing mechanism mediated by a narrow-band pulse source, this approach allows generation of a wideband incoherent source, with the spectral efficiency enhanced by a factor of 18. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, time-stretch imaging with the scan rate as high as MHz and diffraction-limited resolution is achieved based on the wideband incoherent source. We note that the concept of time-wavelength sequence reconstruction from wideband incoherent source can also be generalized to any high-speed optical real-time measurements, where wavelength is acted as the information carrier.

Single-shot quantitative dispersion phase microscopy.

We present an imaging modality capable of providing high-speed optical dispersion measurements of live cells. The technique permits wide-field measurement of the optical phase shifts introduced by a sample for multiple discrete wavelengths in a single image capture. Utilizing spatial modulation and the wavelength dependence of the interference-fringe spacing, average refractive index as a function of wavelength is obtained, yielding optical dispersion measurements of the sample under observation. Because of its simple and low-cost design, the technique can be readily integrated into a standard microscope to collect additional diagnostic information about biological cells.

Auto-ignition and flame stabilization of pulsed methane jets in a hot vitiated coflow studied with high-speed laser and imaging techniques

The auto-ignition of a pulsed methane jet issuing into a laminar coflow of hot exhaust products of a lean premixed hydrogen/air flat flame was examined using high-speed laser and optical measurement techniques with frame rates of 5 kHz or more. OH* chemiluminescence was used to determine the downstream location of the first auto-ignition kernel as well as the stabilization height of the steady-state lifted jet flame. OH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) was used to determine further details of the auto-ignition with a higher spatial resolution. Simultaneous imaging of broadband luminosity from a viewing angle perpendicular to the OH* chemiluminescence was applied, to three-dimensionally reconstruct the ignition kernel location in space and to determine whether the first occurrence of the kernel was within or beyond the PLIF laser sheet. The development and expansion of the jet was characterized by high-speed Schlieren imaging. Statistics have been compiled for both the ignition time as well as the downstream location of the first auto-ignition kernel and the stabilization height of the steady-state lifted jet flame. From the PLIF images it was found that auto-ignition tended to occur at the interface between bulges of the inflowing jet and the coflow. For steady-state conditions, auto-ignition kernels were observed frequently below the flame base, emphasizing that the lifted jet flame is stabilized by auto-ignition.

Design Envelopes and Optical Feature Extraction Techniques for Survivability of SnAg Lead-free Packaging Architectures Under Shock and Vibration

In this paper, a design-envelope approach based on optical feature extraction techniques has been investigated for drop and shock survivability of electronic packaging has been presented for 6-lead-free solder alloy systems. Solder alloy systems investigated include, Sn1Ag0.5Cu, Sn3Ag0.5Cu, Sn0.3Ag0.7Cu, Sn0.3Ag0.7Cu0.1Bi, Sn0.2Ag0.7Cu0.1Bi-0.1Ni, 96.5Sn 3.5Ag. Previously, digital image correlation (DIC) has been used for measurement of thermally induced deformation and material-characterization. In this paper, DIC has been used for transient dynamic measurements, and optical feature extraction. Board assemblies have been subjected to shock-impact in various orientations including the JEDEC zero-degree drop and the vertical free-drop. Transient deformation has been measured using both digital image correlation and the strain gages. Measurements have been taken on both the package and the board side of the assemblies. Accuracy of high-speed optical measurement has been compared with that from discrete strain gages. Package architectures examined include-flex ball-grid arrays, tape-array ball-grid arrays, and metal lead-frame packages. Explicit finite-element models have been developed and correlated with experimental data. Models developed include, smeared property models, and Timoshenko-beam models. The potential of damage identification and tracking for various solder alloys has been investigated. Data on identification of damage proxies for competing failure mechanisms at the copper-to-solder, solder-to-printed circuit board, and copper-to-package substrate has been presented. Design envelopes have been developed based on statistical pattern recognition. The design-envelope is intended for component integration to ensure survivability in shock and vibration environments at a user-specified confidence level.

High Speed Digital Image Correlation for Transient-Shock Reliability of Electronics

Electronics may be subjected to shock, vibration, and drop-impact during shipping, handling and during normal usage. Measurement of transient dynamic deformation of the electronics assemblies during the shock and vibration can yield significant insights in understanding the occurrence of failure modes and the development of failure envelopes. Failure-modes include solder-joint failures, pad cratering, chip-cracking, copper trace fracture, and underfill fillet failures. Previous researchers have measured the transient-dynamics of board assemblies with high-speed imaging in conjunction with high-speed image analysis for measurement of relative displacement, angle, velocity, and acceleration. In addition, high-speed data-acquisition systems with discrete strain gages have been used for measurements of transient strain and with accelerometers for measurement of transient acceleration. Development of accurate models requires better understanding of full-field strain deformation in board assemblies. In this paper, the use of digital image correlation (DIC) with ultra high-speed imaging has been used for full-field measurement of transient strain in various board assemblies subjected to shock in various orientations. Measurements have been taken on both the package and the board side of the assemblies. Accuracy of high-speed optical measurement has been compared with that from discrete strain gages. Package architectures examined include-flex ball-grid arrays, tape-array ball-grid arrays, and metal lead-frame packages. Explicit finite-element models have been developed and correlated with experimental data. Models developed include, smeared property models, Timoshenko-beam models, and explicit sub-models. The solder strains have been computed from the explicit finite element models for life prediction in shock.

Robust design of composite cylindrical shells under axial compression — Simulation and validation

Thin-walled shell structures like circular cylindrical shells are prone to buckling. Imperfections, which are defined as deviations from perfect shape and perfect loading distributions, can reduce the buckling load drastically compared to that of the perfect shell. Design criteria monographs like NASA-SP 8007 recommend that the buckling load of the perfect shell shall be reduced by using a knock-down factor. The existing knock-down factors are very conservative and do not account for the structural behaviour of composite shells. To determine an improved knock-down factor, several authors consider realistic shapes of shells in numerical simulations using probabilistic methods. Each manufacturing process causes a specific imperfection pattern; hence for this probabilistic approach a large number of test data is needed, which is often not available. Motivated by this lack of data, a new deterministic approach is presented for determining the lower bound of the buckling load of thin-walled cylindrical composite shells, which is derived from phenomenological test data. For the present test series, a single pre-buckle is induced by a radial perturbation load, before the axial displacement controlled loading starts. The deformations are measured using the prototype of a high-speed optical measurement system with a frequency up to 3680 Hz. The observed structural behaviour leads to a new reasonable lower bound of the buckling load. Based on test results, the numerical model is validated and the shell design is optimized by virtual testing. The results of test and numerical analysis indicate that this new approach has the potential to provide an improved and less conservative shell design in order to reduce weight and cost of thin-walled shell structures made from composite material.

Behavior of the surface of a bubbly liquid after detonation wave impact

In safety engineering, one position of interest inside heterogeneous systems of the type liquid–gas is the contact surface between these two phases. Under certain conditions, e.g. shock wave impact, phenomena can take place at this position that can have a significant influence on the explosion behavior of the system. In this work an investigation is presented about the existence of such phenomena on the surface of liquid cyclohexane with or without the existence of oxygen containing bubbles. The observations have been performed during the time before, as well as after, a detonation wave reflection on that surface. High-speed pressure and optical measurements have been applied. Apart from the experimental observations, also a theoretical analysis and discussion is presented in this contribution, which contains the comparison between calculated and experimental values.

High-speed optical measurement for the drumhead vibration

A high-speed optical measurement for the vibrating drumhead is presented and verified by experiment. A projected sinusoidal fringe pattern on the measured drumhead is dynamically deformed with the membrane vibration and grabbed by a high-speed camera. The shape deformation of the drumhead at each sampling instant can be recovered from this sequence of obtained fringe patterns. The membrane vibration of Chinese drum has been measured with a high speed sampling rate of 1,000 frames/sec. and a standard deviation of 0.075 mm. The restored vibration of the drumhead is also presented in an animation.

Containerless Solidification and Net Shaping by Splat Quenching of Undercooled Nd<SUB>2</SUB>Fe<SUB>14</SUB>B Melts

High-speed optical temperature measurement and digital imaging elucidated the solidification behavior of undercooled Nd2Fe14B melt through containerless processing by an electromagnetic levitation method. The Fe phase solidified primarily from the melt. Subsequently, the remaining melt was undercooled below the peritectic temperature and the Nd2Fe14B phase surrounded the primary Fe dendrites, yielding the recalescence. The clear interface of the thermal field propagated and covered the entire sample. Detailed microstructural observation showed that the Nd2Fe14B phase surrounding the different Fe dendrites mutually came into contact with the several points. This suggested that many sites for nucleation of the Nd2Fe14B phase are not necessary for the successive growth of the Nd2Fe14B phase that was maintained by the spread of the Nd2Fe14B phase to the different primary Fe dendrites. This resulted in the macroscopic interface of the thermal field during recalescence. Moreover, the undercooled melt was dropped from the levitation coil and quenched by a pair of copper chill plates with moulds, the shape of which is a hemisphere cap, in order to obtain a small bulk sample for industrial purpose. The spherical sample with the diameter of 5 mm was successively obtained without decreasing the cooling rate. This result suggests the possibility of the net shaping of a small magnet from the melt.