Fluorescence Thermometry and Particle Image Velocimetry for the characterization of laser-driven convection flows

To characterize convection flows induced by laser heating, we have implemented two specific techniques to map accurately the temperature field and the velocity field in the sample. In this poster, we present in details theses two techniques. The temperature has been measured using a temperature sensitive fluorescent dye (Rhodamine B). Such measurements have been compared with measurements performed in pure water with a miniaturized thermocouple. The good agreement between these two independent methods allows us to estimate the importance of the Soret effect. Then we develop a particle image velocimetry technique based on a cross correlation FFT of the acquired images to measure accurately the velocity field. The combination of these two techniques allows a quantitative understanding of the coupling between temperature effects and convective flows.