Dynamic aberration analysis and correction methods of conformal windows based on cone-derived waveriders

The coordinated design of hypersonic vehicles and conformal optical systems is essential for hypersonic airborne imaging. Waveriders, with their favorable aerodynamic performance, are considered ideal platforms for hypersonic optical imaging. However, conformal optics theory for waverider configurations has not been systematically studied, and existing airborne conclusions are difficult to apply directly. Therefore, this paper focuses on a typical cone-derived waverider and presents a systematic study of its conformal optics. Based on waverider design principles, a complete analysis framework is established, linking the flow field, streamline, window shape and dynamic aberration. The dynamic aberration characteristics of cone-derived waverider windows under typical flight conditions are revealed. Furthermore, the geometric design parameters of the vehicle leading edge are directly related to dynamic aberrations. From the perspective of optical correction, the priority and optimization direction of each parameter are identified. Design cases show that dynamic aberrations introduced by the conformal window can be effectively reduced by fine-tuning the length-to-width ratio while maintaining a nearly unchanged lift-to-drag ratio. Specifically, spot convergence improves by 41.93%, and the dominant wavefront aberration terms, including defocus (Z4), astigmatism (Z5), coma (Z7), and trefoil (Z10), are reduced by 36.39%, 36.45%, 51.72%, and 51.76%, respectively. These results reduce the design difficulty of conformal optical systems and provide theoretical support and design guidance for integrated aerodynamic-optical design of cone-derived waverider vehicles.

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Publication Details

Journal
Optics Express
Published
2026-02-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.589683
Primary Topic
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics
Type
article
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article

Dynamic aberration analysis and correction methods of conformal windows based on cone-derived waveriders

Xiaotong Guo, Yunsheng Qi, Qingyu Meng, Dapeng Tian et al.
Optics Express
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics
article

Dynamic aberration analysis and correction methods of conformal windows based on cone-derived waveriders

Xiaotong Guo, Yunsheng Qi, Qingyu Meng, Dapeng Tian, Shurun Yan, Jing Luo, Siqi Wang, jiangnan wang
article en

Abstract

The coordinated design of hypersonic vehicles and conformal optical systems is essential for hypersonic airborne imaging. Waveriders, with their favorable aerodynamic performance, are considered ideal platforms for hypersonic optical imaging. However, conformal optics theory for waverider configurations has not been systematically studied, and existing airborne conclusions are difficult to apply directly. Therefore, this paper focuses on a typical cone-derived waverider and presents a systematic study of its conformal optics. Based on waverider design principles, a complete analysis framework is established, linking the flow field, streamline, window shape and dynamic aberration. The dynamic aberration characteristics of cone-derived waverider windows under typical flight conditions are revealed. Furthermore, the geometric design parameters of the vehicle leading edge are directly related to dynamic aberrations. From the perspective of optical correction, the priority and optimization direction of each parameter are identified. Design cases show that dynamic aberrations introduced by the conformal window can be effectively reduced by fine-tuning the length-to-width ratio while maintaining a nearly unchanged lift-to-drag ratio. Specifically, spot convergence improves by 41.93%, and the dominant wavefront aberration terms, including defocus (Z4), astigmatism (Z5), coma (Z7), and trefoil (Z10), are reduced by 36.39%, 36.45%, 51.72%, and 51.76%, respectively. These results reduce the design difficulty of conformal optical systems and provide theoretical support and design guidance for integrated aerodynamic-optical design of cone-derived waverider vehicles.

Optics ExpressVol. 34(4)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 59%
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics
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