Optical pressure measurement using fluorescent techniques is being widely researched for use in windtunnels. The technique offers global coverage of model surface pressures. A paint, the fluorescence of which is dependent on air pressure, is applied to the surface of a windtunnel model and the pressure distribution is obtained from the intensities measured. There are three principle techniques used to produce the surface pressure distributions: radiometric imaging, lifetime measurement and fluorescent lifetime imaging.

Radiometric imaging produces global images. A constant illumination is used to excite the paint. The fluorescent intensity distribution is dependent on the surface pressure. Error analysis reveals that the technique has the highest precision at low absolute pressures. However, wind-off reference images are required to compensate for illumination and paint non-uniformity. Experimental investigation found that although this is able to compensate for rigid structures, model movement introduces registration and geometric errors. These errors can be corrected by processing at the expense of accuracy.

Lifetime measurement is a technique that uses pulsed illumination. The fluorescent lifetime is dependent on the pressure. A wind-off reference image is not required and error analysis predicts that the technique holds an advantage at high absolute pressures.

Fluorescent lifetime imaging produces global images using a modulated light source to excite the paint. The phase and modulation depth of the fluorescent signal are proportional to the pressure. A wind-off reference image is not required and error analysis predicts that the technique has the same advantages as lifetime imaging. Preliminary results from fluorescent lifetime imaging indicate that this technique can be implemented using robust, solid-state technology.