Laser Doppler and pulsed laser velocimetry in fluid mechanics

Since the introduction of the laser in the late 1960s, optical metrology has made a major impact in many branches of engineering. This is nowhere more apparent than in the field of fluid mechanics where laser technology has revolutionised the way in which fluid flows are studied. The light scattered from small seeding particles following the flow contains information relating to the particle position and velocity. The coherence characteristics and high power densities achievable with a laser source allow well-defined regions of flow to be investigated in a largely non-intrusive manner and on a spatial and temporal scale commensurate with he flow field of interest. This review outlines the laser-based methods of velocimetry that are now available to the fluid dynamicist and discusses their practical application. Laser Doppler velocimetry provides a means to produce time-resolved measurements of fluid velocity at a single point in the flow. The optical design of instruments of this type is addressed with reference to spatial resolution and light gathering performance. Typical Doppler signals produced at both high and low particle concentrations are analysed and signal processing techniques are briefly discussed. Pulsed laser velocimeters use imaging optics to record the position of seeding particles at two or more instants and provide information concerning the instantaneous structure of the flow field. The optical configurations and analysis procedures used for planar velocity measurements are described and whole-field three-dimensional velocity measurements using holographic techniques are introduced.