4. Fields of application

For a long time, the field of choice for visualization methods was the large wind tunnels used for aeronautical research. The demystification of the laser and the rapid expansion of computerized image processing methods have democratized this type of analysis, even if the use of a medium-power laser (a few watts) still remains a relatively expensive operation requiring some knowledge of optics.

Henceforth, any industrial field involving a sufficiently transparent liquid or gaseous flow is theoretically concerned, provided that the phenomenon under study takes place in a free atmosphere or is confined within an equally transparent structure. Application examples abound:

• air circulation in air-conditioning and heating systems ;

• aerodynamic or liquid cooling of electrical and thermal...