High-Speed Imaging Uncovers The Invisible With Schlieren Techniques

Scientists use schlieren imaging, a non-invasive testing method, to visualize density gradients within otherwise invisible flows. Schlieren imaging is a practical method of visualizing air movement around an airfoil in a wind tunnel or gas interactions within a combustion chamber. Over the past decade, significant improvements in the speed and sensitivity of cameras have greatly increased the quality of schlieren images and the speed at which images can be acquired. Although this advanced imaging technique can now deliver detailed images of highly dynamic processes, obtaining high-quality data requires choosing the best high-speed camera for the application and careful optimization of the optical setup.