A computational fluid dynamics model of the spinning pipe gas lens

C. Mafusire; A. Forbes; G. Snedden

doi:10.1117/12.862857

16 August 2010 A computational fluid dynamics model of the spinning pipe gas lens

C. Mafusire, A. Forbes, G. Snedden

Proceedings Volume 7789, Laser Beam Shaping XI; 77890Y (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.862857
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

When 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 (M²). 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.

Citation Download Citation

C. Mafusire, A. Forbes, and G. Snedden "A computational fluid dynamics model of the spinning pipe gas lens", Proc. SPIE 7789, Laser Beam Shaping XI, 77890Y (16 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.862857

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