Laser Doppler Vibrometers
A vibrometer (or laser doppler vibrometer) is an instrument that measures vibration by firing a laser at a surface. By measureing the internal reference beam's frequency and comparing it to that of the test beam, this device discerns the frequency difference, translates that into electrical impulses, and displays it for the user.
The following are the standard types of vibrometers:- Single-point variants fire a laser in a single direction and measures a single spot. Single-point vibrometry is a simple and fast way to measure velocity, displacement, and acceleration on a surface.
- Fiber-Optic variants shoot its laser through a fiber-optic path, rather than the direct path of a single-point vibrometer. The flexibility of a fiber path makes these devices ideal for measuring surfaces generally inaccessible due to distance or a dense, obstructed test environment.
- Scanning variants scan surfaces rather than individual points by firing the laser beam at a mirror and measuring numerous points at once. This holistic view of a surface’s vibration profile gives the user insight into vibration modes, discovering the propagation properties of waves, and more.