Next week: Marien Simeni, 14-Apr-2026, 12:20pm Central
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Ellad Tadmor
Apr 7, 2026, 9:36:47 AM (8 days ago) Apr 7
to aem-solid...@umn.edu
AEM Mechanics Research Seminar
Tuesday 14-Apr-2026, 12:20pm Central
Prof. Marien Simeni
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota
Title: Internal Optical Emission Spectroscopy for CubeSat-Scale Hypersonic Re-Entry: Plasmatron-X Demonstration with TPS-Embedded Windows
Abstract: Miniaturized optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is a promising diagnostic for CubeSat- scale hypersonic re-entry experiments, enabling in-situ measurements of radiative and thermochemical properties under severe aerothermal constraints. While prior studies have explored embedded spectrometer concepts through simulation, experimental validation of internal spectral measurements under relevant heating conditions remains limited. This talk presents an experimental demonstration of internally mounted OES in the Plasmatron-X inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel using AETB/RCG thermal protection system samples with embedded sapphire windows. Emission spectra were acquired through the TPS using compact UV–visible spectrometers covering 280–430 nm at heat fluxes from 110 to 455 W/cm2. Surface temperatures were measured using two-color pyrometry, and internal thermocouples were used to assess TPS thermal response and survivability. Despite the modest spectral resolution (∼2 nm FWHM), the combination of high-signal-to-noise spectra, broad fitting windows, and state-to-state modeling enables consistent retrieval of effective rotational and vibrational temperatures from molecular band envelopes. Retrieved temperatures increase systematically with heat flux, reaching values near 11,000 K at the highest heating conditions. These results demonstrate that compact, low-resolution spectrometers can provide physically meaningful bulk gas temperature estimates for HyCUBE-relevant hypersonic re-entry diagnostics.
For more information, visit the AEM Mechanics Research Seminar website:
Tuesday 14-Apr-2026, 12:20pm Central
In-person: Room 321, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota
Online: Webinar registration link
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota
Title: Internal Optical Emission Spectroscopy for CubeSat-Scale Hypersonic Re-Entry: Plasmatron-X Demonstration with TPS-Embedded Windows
Abstract: Miniaturized optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is a promising diagnostic for CubeSat- scale hypersonic re-entry experiments, enabling in-situ measurements of radiative and thermochemical properties under severe aerothermal constraints. While prior studies have explored embedded spectrometer concepts through simulation, experimental validation of internal spectral measurements under relevant heating conditions remains limited. This talk presents an experimental demonstration of internally mounted OES in the Plasmatron-X inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel using AETB/RCG thermal protection system samples with embedded sapphire windows. Emission spectra were acquired through the TPS using compact UV–visible spectrometers covering 280–430 nm at heat fluxes from 110 to 455 W/cm2. Surface temperatures were measured using two-color pyrometry, and internal thermocouples were used to assess TPS thermal response and survivability. Despite the modest spectral resolution (∼2 nm FWHM), the combination of high-signal-to-noise spectra, broad fitting windows, and state-to-state modeling enables consistent retrieval of effective rotational and vibrational temperatures from molecular band envelopes. Retrieved temperatures increase systematically with heat flux, reaching values near 11,000 K at the highest heating conditions. These results demonstrate that compact, low-resolution spectrometers can provide physically meaningful bulk gas temperature estimates for HyCUBE-relevant hypersonic re-entry diagnostics.
For more information, visit the AEM Mechanics Research Seminar website:
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Ellad B. Tadmor, Ph.D.
Russell J. Penrose Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
University of Minnesota
https://dept.aem.umn.edu/~tadmor/
Russell J. Penrose Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
University of Minnesota
https://dept.aem.umn.edu/~tadmor/
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