Coherent structures of the near field flow in a self-oscillating physical model of the vocal folds

Current theories of voice production depend critically upon knowledge of the near field flow which emanates from the glottis. While most modern theories predict complex, three-dimensional structures in the near field flow, few investigations have attempted to quantify such structures. Using methods of flow visualization and digital particle image velocimetry, this study measured the near field flow structures immediately downstream of a self-oscillating, physical model of the vocal folds, with a vocal tract attached. A spatio-temporal analysis of the structures was performed using the method of empirical orthogonal eigenfunctions. Some of the observed flow structures included vortex generation, vortex convection, and jet flapping. The utility of such data in the future development of more accurate, low-dimensional models of voice production is discussed.