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Field-Deployable Sensors

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Field-deployable laser diagnostics can provide high-bandwidth, non-intrusive optical measurements of critical flow parameters such as species concentrations, temperature, pressure, and velocity, in a variety of practical applications.

In the Hanson Group, we develop sensors for direct application in challenging environments including next gen fuels, advanced energy technology, and hypersonic facilities. These sensors provide unique capabilities for fast and accurate in-situ measurements which can guide improvements to facilities, hardware, and computational models. Our group employs powerful, nonintrusive optical diagnostic techniques such as Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy (WMS) for sensing a variety of gas species. We have demonstrated TDLAS for precise gas thermometry at pressures up to 9 atm and temperatures up to 8000 K in the NASA Ames Arcjet Facility. We have also demonstrated WMS for enhanced measurement rates up to 44 kS/s in a rotating detonation engine.

metal lab machinery
Rotating detonation engine with sensor installed.

To learn more, check out some of our publications:

M. Nations, L. S. Chang, J. B. Jeffries, R. K. Hanson, M. E. MacDonald, A. Nawaz, J. S. Taunk, T. Gökçen, and G. Raiche, “Characterization of a large-scale arcjet facility using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy,” AIAA Journal, 55(11):3757–3766, 2017. DOI: 10.2514/1.J056011

S. J. Cassady, W.Y. Peng, C. L. Strand, D. F. Dausen, J. R. Codoni, C. M. Brophy, and R. K. Hanson, “Time-resolved, single-ended laser absorption thermometry and H2O, CO2, and CO speciation in a H2/C2H4-fueled rotating detonation engine,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 38:1719–1727, 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.proci.2020.06.125

J. J. Girard, P. M. Finch, C. L. Strand, R. K. Hanson, W. M. Yu, J. M. Austin, and H. G. Hornung, “Measurements of time-resolved air freestream nitric oxide rotational, vibrational temperature and concentration in the t5 reflected shock tunnel,” AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2020 Forum, pages 1–14, 2020. DOI: 10.2514/6.2020-3714