Latest blog: Breaking Through The PIC Testing Bottleneck

Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV)

The velocity measurement of fast-moving materials is essential to several areas of scientific and technical investigations, including shock physics and the behavior of materials under high pressure and at high strain rates.

Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) is a laser-based technique used to measure the velocity of a moving surface by analyzing the Doppler shift of reflected light. It is widely used in high-speed dynamics and impact testing to capture precise velocity profiles of fast-moving objects.

We provide all of the key optical measurement instruments to build reliable, repeatable PDV test systems from single channel to complex multi-channel systems.

Simplify your test bench

The Quantifi Photonics Doppler module combines key optical components and can be used with the Laser and O2E modules to build a streamlined PDV test system. The Doppler modules supports traditional homodyne and frequency-shifted heterodyne PDV testing.

Our instruments are available in a PXI module for multi-channel systems, or standalone benchtop instrument suited to single-channel or low-channel count systems. Optical probes and a digitizer or oscilloscope with suitable bandwidth and channels from 3rd party suppliers will round out the complete PDV test system.

This diagram shows the configuration of the Doppler 1001. It incorporates many of the key
optical components required to accurately condition the target and the reference laser and to mix the probe with the reference.

Build compact & scalable PDV systems

The below diagram shows 1, 4 and 8-channel Doppler setups. It consists of Laser-1002 laser sources (Target and Reference), Doppler-1001 modules, and O2E-1101 modules. Multiple PXI chassis can be chained to expand the channel count as required.

The output of the Doppler 1001 module is sent to a four high channel and high bandwidth O2E-1101 where the probe and reference laser beat. The electrical beat signal is then digitized with either a digitizer or oscilloscope with suitable bandwidth and channels (not pictured).

Learn more

CASE STUDY

Manhattan College Chooses PXI-Based Solution from Quantifi Photonics to Simplify PDV System Design & Maintenance.

From working with many customers on a wide range of PDV applications, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions covering PDV techniques and instrument selection.

Manhattan College uses Quantifi Photonics’ modular PXI-based PDV instrumentation to reduce system design and setup time, and streamline system control with single software user interface.


APPLICATION NOTE

Photonic Doppler Velocimetry: Principles and Equipment for High-Precision Velocity Measurement

Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) is vital for measuring the velocity of fast-moving materials, key in fields like shock physics and high-pressure material studies. Recent telecommunications advancements have made PDV systems more compact, cost-effective, and robust. This application note explains the principles behind PDV and highlights the equipment our company offers to build advanced PDV test systems.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

From working with many customers on a wide range of PDV applications, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions covering PDV techniques and instrument selection.


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