Measurement error in laser interferometry caused by free convective boundary layers on optical windows

When convective heat transfer measurements are made using a laser interferometer, optical windows are often used to separate the test fluid inside the experimental model from the ambient air. In the present study, the measurement error caused by the thermal boundary layers that form on the exterior surfaces of the optical windows has been analyzed. A convenient analytical expression for the error in the fringe gradient has been derived, using the two-dimensional similarity solution for laminar free convective flow. For typical experimental conditions this source of bias error was found to be generally small, except near the leading edge of the thermal boundary layer. Based on the results, it is recommended that the measurement region be at least five centimeters away from the leading edge of these external thermal boundary layers.