Evolution of large eddies in compressible shear layers

The evolution of large turbulent eddies has been investigated in seven supersonic shear layers with average convective Mach numbers Mc¯ ranging from 0.22 to 0.86 and with large variation in density and velocity ratios. A two-laser, single-detector planar laser-induced fluorescence technique was used to visualize the flow and its evolution. Two-dimensional pattern matching yielded the convective velocity of the eddies. For Mc¯>0.3, fast and slow modes of eddy propagation were detected in supersonic–subsonic and supersonic–supersonic combinations, respectively. An empirical model for the convective velocity is proposed. Plan views reveal coexistence of two- and three-dimensional disturbances. Interaction among eddies appears significantly suppressed. The findings have direct impact on supersonic jet noise and are very relevant to supersonic combustion.