Gasdynamic Characteristics of a Free-Vortex-Type Supersonic Laser Window

-The Effect of Diffuser Configuration-

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental study on the gasdynamic and aero-optical performance of a free-vortex aerodynamic laser window. The emphasis was placed on the effect of diffuser configuration. The pressure of a simulated laser cavity strongly depended on the position of diffuser blocks, especially on that of cavity side one. Although, the transversely averaged density and temporal fluctuation of the window jet gradually increased along the flow direction, the fluctuation level was 4kHz at worst.