A note on noise generation by large scale turbulent structures in subsonic and supersonic jets

This paper describes a method to connect the measured spectral density in the acoustic far field with the wavenumber/frequency spectrum of the near field fluctuations that produce the noise. A relationship is first derived between the far field spectral density and the wavenumber/frequency spectrum of the pressure fluctuations on a cylindrical surface surrounding the jet in the near field. Measurements of the far field spectral density are then decomposed into contributions from the Large Scale Similarity (LSS) and Fine Scale Similarity (FSS) spectra. The near field wavenumber/frequency spectrum associated with the LSS spectral density alone is then determined. It is shown to have a very similar form for a range of jet operating conditions and Strouhal numbers. This form is consistent with an instability wave or wave packet model. Since both subsonic and supersonic jet exit conditions are examined, it is argued that the noise radiation in the peak radiation directions is controlled by the axial evolution of the turbulent large scale structures and is not associated with a combination of source convection and mean flow refraction effects.