Rainbow schlieren and its applications

Abstract

In this modification of the schlieren apparatus the knife-edge is replaced by a radial-rainbow filter with a transparent center and opaque surround. Consequently, refractive-index inhomogeneities in the test section appear varicolored, whereas uniformities appear white. The rainbow schlieren is simple, is easy to use, and accentuates detail regarding inhomogeneities more than the ordinary schlieren. The rainbow schlieren permits quantitative evaluation of certain refractive-index distributions, including turbulence, by simple calculations from observations of hue rather than irradiance.