Measurement sensitivity and resolution for background oriented schlieren during image recording

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the sensitivity and resolution of background oriented schlieren (BOS) systems, providing formulas and guidelines for optimizing experimental design and improving measurement performance.

Contribution

It introduces a set of relations to characterize BOS performance, focusing on background pattern design and optical component placement.

Findings

Derived formulas for BOS sensitivity and resolution

Guidelines for optimizing background pattern and optical setup

Enhanced understanding of BOS measurement capabilities

Abstract

Background oriented schlieren (BOS) visualization technique is examined by means of optical geometry. Two most important results are the calculation of the sensitivity and spatial resolution of a BOS system, which allows for the determination of the experiment design space. A set of relations that characterize the performance of a BOS measurement is given, with emphasis on the design of background pattern and spatial placement of optical components.