Photon Doppler Velocimetry, PDV

Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) is a scientific method used to measure speed or velocity of moving objects using light.

Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) is a one-dimensional Fourier transform analysis of a heterodyne laser interferometry signal. It was developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 

PDV is often used in the shock physics community as a complement to or replacement for VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector) in the instrumentation of high-strain-rate events. Contemporary data acquisition technology and the availability of robust single-frequency lasers now leverage the assembly of these systems within reasonable budgets.

Advantages of Koheras lasers for PDV

Robust and industrial

Koheras lasers offer ultra-low noise, narrow linewidth, and high-frequency stability in a rugged industrial fiber format that is equally suited for field installations and laboratory work.

The lasers are alignment- and maintenance-free with a lifetime of thousands of hours ensuring your PDV setup is ready when you need it.

One system with multiple channels

PDV often requires multiple lasers in one setup.  Our ACOUSTIK multi-laser system can integrate up to 16 single-frequency lasers in a single unit. The lasers can be individually controlled and their wavelength is chosen freely in our offered wavelength range. All lasers are powered through the rack and are controlled through a common interface. The system can be fitted with multiplexers and splitters for maximum channel freedom and the individual laser channels can be changed by simply replacing the line-card style BASIK laser units.

  • Multi-channel integration
  • Available with multiplexers and splitters
  • Easy to use
  • Plug & Play upgrade of channels
  • High-frequency stability
  • Ultra-low phase noise
  • High power