High-resolution background-oriented schlieren (BOS) imaging of large-scale field explosions

Background oriented schlieren (BOS) processing techniques are used to extract quantitative data of explosively-driven shocks from high-speed images. The explosive events utilize natural backgrounds and are recorded with high-resolution high-speed cameras with varied settings. The images are post-processed with optical flow processing techniques. Optical flow processing methods are utilized to enhance the flow visualization behind the shock wave to extract quantitative refractive field and density information. The optical flow processing has not previously been applied to explosively-driven flows. Optical flow combined with BOS image subtraction processing and automated shock wave detection methods allow the extraction of the position and velocity of the shock waves from the BOS images of the explosively-driven shocks.