Numerical Schlieren and Shadowgraphs

Numerical Schlieren and Shadowgraphs
Experimental Schlieren and Shadowgraph techniques are based on the principle of refraction. Refraction occurs
when a wave passes from one medium of a given density to another at any angle other than 0 degrees, and is
described by Snells law which states that for a given pair of media and with a wave of single frequency, the ratio
between sines of the angle of incidence to the angle of refraction, is equivalent to the ratio of phase velocities,
otherwise known as the refractive index. For light rays, the refractive index characterises the ratio between the
speed of light in a vacuum and the speed of light in the given medium. For gases, the refractive index is linearly
dependent on the density according to the Galdstone-Dale relation :
𝑛 = 𝐾𝜌 + 1
where K is a constant typically ranging from 1E-4 to 1.5E-3. Since K<<1 in gases, the refractive index varies in such
a small manner that sensitive optics are required to detect changes in density.
Experimental Schlieren and shadowgraph visualization techniques both aim to translate phase speed differences
in light which are invisible to the eye, into changes of intensity that are perceived as regions of light and dark [1].
Whilst shadowgraphs are sensitive to changes in the second derivative of density, Schlieren is sensitive to changes
in the first derivative. It is these first and second derivatives of density that are used in a field functions for post-
processing in order to visualize shocks in simulations.
Numerical Schlieren Technique

For the numerical Schlieren field function, use the formulation that is provided by Wu & Martin [2].
x−xmin
−c2
NS = c1 e xmax −xmin
where c1 and c2 are constants, defined as 0.8 and 1000 respectively, and x stands for the magnitude of the density
grandient. This transformation enhances small density gradients in the flow field and resembles Schlieren in
experiments.
1. First create the following field functions
Name Definiton
c1 0.8
c2 1000
MagOfDensityGrad mag(grad(${Density}))
${c1}*exp(-${c2}*(${MagOfDensityGrad}-
Schlieren ${MinimumMagGradDensReport})/(${MaximumMagGradDensReport}-
${MinimumMagGradDensReport}))
2. Next, create two reports, one Minimum report and one Maximum report, and select as the field function
MagOfDensityGrad. For the input parts to the report, select either the regions of interest in 2D simulations,
or the plane sections for 3D simulations that you would like to visualize the Schlieren with.
3. In your scalar scene, ensure that you have included the input parts that are selected in the reports
previously. Select the input field function to Schlieren and change the colormap to a reversed grayscale.
You can increase the levels of the colormap beyond the default of 32 to improve the quality of visualization.
4. Finally you end up with an image that resembles Schlieren photography.
In practice c2 can be scaled to adjust the contrast/exposure of the shockwave, and c1 can be an arbitrary number
which is by default scaled to the colormap regardless of its value.
Numerical Shadowgraph Technique
To compute the numerical Shadowgraphs, you must first compute the laplacian of density in the flow field. This is
simply the divergence of the density gradient.
1. First create a field function with the following properties.
Name Definition
Shadowgraph div(grad(${Density}))
2. Next create a scalar scene, change the colormap to a reversed grayscale, and select the scalar displayer
field function Shadowgraph. At first, you find that the Min and Max range on the scalar displayer is rather
high : these are adjusted so to control the contrast/exposure of the shockwave. Make sure that you turn
the scalar displayer Clip setting property to Off. This ensures visualization of the shock is continuous. A
chosen range between. +/-1E4 is usually sufficient to make shockwaves distinguishable, but this needs to
be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.
References
[1] G.S. Settles, "Schlieren and Shadowgraph Techniques: Visualizing Phenomena in Transparent Media", 2001, Springer-
Verlag.
[2] Minwei Wu. and. M. Pino Martin, "Direct Numerical Simulation of Supersonic Turbulent Boundary Layer over a
Compression Ramp", AIAA Journal, Vol. 45, No. 4. (2007), pp. 879-889.

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Numerical Schlieren and Shadowgraphs

Numerical Schlieren Technique

1. First create the following field functions

4. Finally you end up with an image that resembles Schlieren photography.

1. First create a field function with the following properties.

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