PLIF Imaging of a Droplet Aerobreakup

Droplet shockwave aerobreakup is a common problem in engineering, seen in spray rotating detonation engines or unburned fuel in rockets combusting causing instability. To gain a better image of the droplet breakup process Planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) will be used. PLIF is an imaging technique where a laser sheet bisects a dyed liquid which when interacting with the light produces a light at a different wavelength. With a filter blocking out the initial laser sheet the bisected area of the liquid can be seen. This optical technique is planned to be used in conjunction with the aerobreakup of liquid droplets. With other imaging techniques like direct imaging or schlieren the image is based on an integrated line of sight which from some expected breakup dynamics such as stripping from the edges or piercing causing ballooning cannot be fully observed from the integrated line of sight. With a bisected image the droplet aerobreakup can be seen past the stripped liquid from the droplet. This can give information on the droplet breakup such as the piercing of the droplet in relation to the stripping from the edge or the reformation of the droplet into child droplets.