Multiple laser-based high-speed digital shadowgraphy system for small caliber projectile-target interaction studies

High-speed optical shadowgraphy plays an important role in study of various phenomena including projectile-target interaction for small caliber projectile. Present work reports design, development, and implementation of a multiple laser-based high-speed digital shadowgraphy system to study the behavior of a small caliber projectile in flight as well as the projectile-target interaction. System is based on Cranz–Schardin technique. Low power digitally modulated laser diodes along with low-resolution CMOS cameras in global shuttering mode are used to record good quality digital shadowgraphs. The system can record 11 shadowgraphs at a maximum frame rate of 1 million/s and is able to capture even minute details of fragments in the form of shockwaves. Operation of the system, image recording and analysis are fully computer controlled. The design and system description inclusive ultra-short pulse generator and opto-electronic triggering unit are presented and experimental results are discussed