Subcritical and supercritical fluids were injected in an inert gaseous atmosphere. Density distribution was measured and density-gradient profiles were inferred from the experimental data. A novel method was applied for the detection of detailed structures throughout the entire jet center plane. The core lengths were measured for each of the cases and correlated with previous visualization results. An eigenvalue approach was taken to determine the location of maximum gradients. The results show a significant influence of chamber-to-injectant density ratio on the core length in the supercritical domain, unlike the subcritical conditions. Nomenclature D = injector diameter, 2 mm P = pressure, atm P cr = critical pressure, atm P r = reduced pressure T = temperature, K T cr = critical temperature, K T r = reduced temperature = density, kg=m 3