A computational fluid dynamics model of a spinning pipe gas lens

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dc.contributor.authorMafusire C.
dc.contributor.authorForbes A.
dc.contributor.authorSnedden G.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:00:21Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:00:21Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractWhen a metal horizontal pipe is heated and spun along its axis, a graded refractive index distribution is generated which is can be used as a lens, thus its name, the spinning pipe gas lens (SPGL). Experimental results showed that though increase in rotation speed and/or temperature resulted in a stronger lens and removed distortions due to gravity, it also increased the size of higher order aberrations resulting in an increase in the beam quality factor (M 2). A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was prepared to simulate the aerodynamics that show how it operates and, in the process shed some light on the optical results. The results of the model consist of velocity profiles and the resultant density data and profiles. At rest the cross-sectional density profile has a vertical symmetry due to gravity but becomes rotationally symmetric with a higher value of density at the core as rotation speed increases. The longitudinal density distribution is shown to be parabolic towards the ends but is fairly uniform at the centre. The velocity profiles show that this centre is the possible source of higher order aberrations which are responsible for the deterioration of beam quality. © 2010 SPIE.
dc.description.versionConference Paper
dc.identifier.citationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
dc.identifier.citation7789
dc.identifier.issn0277786X
dc.identifier.other10.1117/12.862857
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/11654
dc.subjectBeam quality factor
dc.subjectComputational fluid dynamics models
dc.subjectDensity data
dc.subjectDensity distributions
dc.subjectDensity profile
dc.subjectGas lens
dc.subjectGraded refractive indices
dc.subjectHigher order
dc.subjectHorizontal pipes
dc.subjectOptical aberrations
dc.subjectRotation speed
dc.subjectSpinning pipe gas lens (SPGL)
dc.subjectVelocity profiles
dc.subjectFluid dynamics
dc.subjectGases
dc.subjectLaser beams
dc.subjectLenses
dc.subjectMetal spinning
dc.subjectOptical instruments
dc.subjectPipe
dc.subjectRefractive index
dc.subjectRotation
dc.subjectComputational fluid dynamics
dc.titleA computational fluid dynamics model of a spinning pipe gas lens
dc.typeConference Paper
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