Vincent T. Romero

Measurement of an explosively driven hemispherical shell using 96 points of optical velocimetry

We report the measurement of the surface motion of a hemispherical copper shell driven by high explosives. This measurement was made using three 32 channel multiplexed photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) systems, in combination with a novel compound optical probe. Clearly visible are detailed features of the motion of the shell over time, enhanced by spatial correlation. Significant non-normal motion is apparent, and challenges in measuring such a geometry are discussed.

A fisheye lens as a photonic Doppler velocimetry probe

A new fisheye lens design is used as a miniature probe to measure the velocity distribution of an imploding surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed and scattered back along each beam on the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface and collected into the launching fiber. The received light is mixed with reference laser light in each optical fiber in a technique called photonic Doppler velocimetry, providing a continuous time record. An array of single-mode optical fibers sends laser light through the fisheye lens. The lens consists of an index-matching positive element, two positive doublet groups, and two negative singlet elements. The optical design minimizes beam diameters, physical size, and back reflections for excellent signal collection. The fiber array projected through the fisheye lens provides many measurement points of surface coverage over a hemisphere with very little crosstalk. The probe measures surface movement with only a small encroachment into the center of the cavity. The fiber array is coupled to the index-matching element using index-matching gel. The array is bonded and sealed into a blast tube for ease of assembly and focusing. This configuration also allows the fiber array to be flat polished at a common object plane. In areas where increased measurement point density is desired, the fibers can be close packed. To further increase surface density coverage, smaller-diameter cladding optical fibers may be used.

Asay window: A new spall diagnostic

By changing from the metallic foil of the Asay foil diagnostic, which can detect ejecta from a shocked surface, to a lithium fluoride (LiF) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) window, it is possible to detect multiple spall layers and interlayer rubble. Past experiments to demonstrate this diagnostic have used high explosives (HEs) to shock metals to produce multiple spall layers. Because the exact characteristics of HE-induced spall layers cannot be predetermined, two issues exist in the quantitative interpretation of the data. First, to what level of fidelity is the Asay window method capable of providing quantitative information about spall layers, possibly separated by rubble, and second, contingent on the first, can an analytic technique be developed to convert the data to a meaningful description of spall from a given experiment? In this article, we address the first issue. A layered projectile fired from a gas gun was used to test the new diagnostic’s accuracy and repeatability. We impacted a LiF or ...

Design, construction, alignment, and calibration of a compact velocimetry experiment

A velocimetry experiment has been designed to measure shock properties for small cylindrical metal targets (8-mm-diameter by 2-mm thick). A target is accelerated by high explosives, caught, and retrieved for later inspection. The target is expected to move at a velocity of 0.1 to 3 km/sec. The complete experiment canister is approximately 105 mm in diameter and 380 mm long. Optical velocimetry diagnostics include the Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) and Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). The packaging of the velocity diagnostics is not allowed to interfere with the catchment or an X-ray imaging diagnostic. A single optical relay, using commercial lenses, collects Doppler-shifted light for both VISAR and PDV. The use of fiber optics allows measurement of point velocities on the target surface during accelerations occurring over 15 mm of travel. The VISAR operates at 532 nm and has separate illumination fibers requiring alignment. The PDV diagnostic operates at 1550 nm, but is aligned and focused at 670 nm. The VISAR and PDV diagnostics are complementary measurements and they image spots in close proximity on the target surface. Because the optical relay uses commercial glass, the axial positions of the optical fibers for PDV and VISAR are offset to compensate for chromatic aberrations. The optomechanical design requires careful attention to fiber management, mechanical assembly and disassembly, positioning of the foam catchment, and X-ray diagnostic field-of-view. Calibration and alignment data are archived at each stage of the assembly sequence.

Design, assembly, and testing of a photon Doppler velocimetry probe

A novel fiber-optic probe measures the velocity distribution of an imploding surface along many lines of sight. Reflected light from each spot on the moving surface is Doppler shifted with a small portion of this light propagating backwards through the launching fiber. The reflected light is mixed with a reference laser in a technique called photon Doppler velocimetry, providing continuous time records. Within the probe, a matrix array of 56 single-mode fibers sends light through an optical relay consisting of three types of lenses. Seven sets of these relay lenses are grouped into a close-packed array allowing the interrogation of seven regions of interest. A six-faceted prism with a hole drilled into its center directs the light beams to the different regions. Several types of relay lens systems have been evaluated, including doublets and molded aspheric singlets. The optical design minimizes beam diameters and also provides excellent imaging capabilities. One of the fiber matrix arrays can be replaced by an imaging coherent bundle. This close-packed array of seven relay systems provides up to 476 beam trajectories. The pyramid prism has its six facets polished at two different angles that will vary the density of surface point coverage. Fibers in the matrix arrays are angle polished at 8°to minimize back reflections. This causes the minimum beam waist to vary along different trajectories. Precision metrology on the direction cosine trajectories is measured to satisfy environmental requirements for vibration and temperature.

Comparison of Triature Doppler Velocimetry and Visar

Triature Photon Doppler Velocimetry (TDV) is an adaptation of Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) that rejects common-mode data noise after splitting PDV three ways, with each signal 120° out of phase from each other. Testing has demonstrated that the TDV also improves temporal resolution from the typical five-nanoseconds of PDV to a subnanosecond range. This paper compares the temporal response of TDV with that of PDV and VISAR [velocity interferometer system for any reflector] in an experiment with a subnanosecond (~120-picosecond rise time) shock source. Laboratory tests were performed using a high-power laser on targets of copper and aluminum. A fast VISAR with a single-point PDV and a prototype TDV were used. A special probe that combined PDV, TDV, and fast VISAR made simultaneous velocity measurements. Breakout velocities of 1.3 km/second on copper and 2.5 km/second on aluminum were observed, where TDV resolved rise times of ~200 ps. This resolution was better than that of a fast VISAR, which can achieve ~500 ps temporal resolution. Test methods and results are presented.

Photonic Doppler velocimetry probe designed with stereo imaging

During the fabrication of an aspherical mirror, the inspection of the residual wavefront error is critical. In the program of a spaceborne telescope development, primary mirror is made of ZERODUR with clear aperture of 450 mm. The mass is 10 kg after lightweighting. Deformation of mirror due to gravity is expected; hence uniform supporting measured by load cells has been applied to reduce the gravity effect. Inspection has been taken to determine the residual wavefront error at the configuration of mirror face upwards. Correction polishing has been performed according to the measurement. However, after comparing with the data measured by bench test while the primary mirror is at a configuration of mirror face horizontal, deviations have been found for the two measurements. Optical system that is not able to meet the requirement is predicted according to the measured wavefront error by bench test. A target wavefront error of secondary mirror is therefore analyzed to correct that of primary mirror. Optical performance accordingly is presented.

Discrete Layer Verification of the LiF Window Spall Diagnostic

Recently, LiF windows suspended close to the surface have been employed as a non‐radiographic spall diagnostic. Calibration has typically used HE to shock metals to produce spall layers. Because the exact characteristics of these layers cannot be pre‐determined, we are using a gas gun to test the accuracy and repeatability of the diagnostic. We impact a LiF or PMMA window in front of a VISAR probe with a projectile consisting of four thin stainless steel disks spaced apart 200 microns with either vacuum or polyethylene. The measured signature from the VISAR probe is compared with what is expected from the layered assembly traveling at the projectile’s velocity.