Transition and turbulence production in a hypersonic boundary layer is investigated in the Mach 6 wind tunnel at Peking University, using Rayleigh-scattering visualization, fast-response pressure measurements, and particle image velocimetry. Detailed analysis of the experimental observations is provided. It is found that, although the second mode is primarily an acoustic wave, it causes the formation of high-frequency vortical waves. Moreover, the second mode interacts strongly with low-frequency waves, which leads to immediate transition to turbulence.freestream velocity, m∕s u = velocity vector, m∕s u = x component of the velocity, m∕s v = y component of the velocity, m∕s w = z component of the velocity, m∕s x = streamwise coordinate along the cone's surface, mm y = coordinate normal to the cone's surface, mm z = transverse coordinate normal to the x-y plane, mm= viscous normal stress, Pa ρ = density, kg∕m 3 τ f = flow time scale, s τ p = particle relaxation time, s Φ = viscous dissipation function per unit volume, kg∕m · s 3 ω = vorticity, 1∕s