A combined scanning PTV/LIF technique to simultaneously measure the full velocity gradient tensor and the 3D density field

We present a newly developed combined scanning particle tracking velocimetry (SPTV) and scanning laser-induced fluorescence (SLIF) technique. The new method allows for the first time to measure the full velocity gradient tensor and the three-dimensional density field simultaneously in a refractive index matched environment. The data thus obtained will be valuable in investigating the interaction between turbulence, i.e. the dynamics of vorticity and strain, and the density field. In this study, we describe the implementation of the measurement system in detail. As a showcase, the new technique is applied to a gravity current flow and the measured data are validated by imposing various checks. Further results are presented that illustrate the capability of the SPTV/SLIF technique in the investigation of interface dynamics.