9622699 Goldburg This award provides support for the acquisition of a laser Doppler velocimeter for the purpose of studying turbulence in soap films. The goal of this project is to better understand two-dimensional turbulence as well as the physics of a soap film under shear. We have demonstrated that a laser Doppler velocimeter is a powerful instrument for exploring turbulence in soap films and for studying their unexpected rheological properties. %%% It follows from the basic laws that govern fluid flow, that two-dimensional (2D) turbulence differs qualitatively from its three-dimensional (3D) counterpart. Soap films are so thin relative to their lateral dimensions that, to a very good approximation, they should behave like a 2D fluid. Nevertheless there are very few experiments to support this claim. In our laboratory we have produced strong enough turbulence in a soap film that its two dimensional character becomes apparent. The instrument is one of general utility and will be used in ordinary three-dimensional turbulence as well. ***
