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Published June 1999 | public
Journal Article

Visualization of Two-dimensional Flows by a Liquid (Soap) Film Tunnel

Abstract

Experimentally produced two-dimensional flows have become possible in recent years due to the invention of Liquid Film Tunnel (LFT) in 1987 by Gharib and Derango. This simple, inexpensive, yet powerful device, which we have improved extensively over the last decade, can generate a variety of flows. Liquid (soap) films can be visualized through light interference effects produced by small variations in the film thickness. Flow-disturbing objects such as cylinders, wedges, and air bubbles create these variations. Monochromatic visualization of these thickness variations will render phenomenally accurate graphic information about the flow patterns thus produced. Under a polychromatic light, these interference effects can be spectacular, due to reflection of different colors by different isothickness regions.

Additional Information

© 1999 The Visualization Society of Japan and Ohmsha, Ltd. Received 17 February 1999; Revised 15 June 1999. The authors wish to thank Professor Karol Mysels for his valuable advice and encouragement. This work was supported by National Science Foundation (NSF Contract MSM 88-20182) at University of California, San Diego.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
March 5, 2024