Methodology of designing compact schlieren systems using off-axis parabolic mirrors.

Schlieren imaging is widely adopted in applications where fluid dynamics features are of interest. However, traditional Z-type schlieren systems utilizing on-axis mirrors generally require large system footprints due to the need to use high f-number mirrors. In this context, off-axis parabolic (OAP) mirrors provide an attractive alternative for permitting the use of smaller f-number optics, but well-documented methodologies for designing schlieren systems with OAP mirrors are lacking.