Affordable PIV: Laser diode pulsing system
Contact
Dr. William Thielicke
E-Mail: thielicke@optolution.com
Telefon: +49 (0) 7621 582 83 46
The laser diode pulsing system (LD-PS) by OPTOLUTION is a low-cost illumination for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). It generates bright and very thin light sheets with user selectable pulse spacing and pulse length. The system is very compact and extremely easy to use. The high brightness is achieved by toggling (arrays of) high-power laser diodes using a special laser driver circuit. We offer optical power outputs of 500 mW, 5 W, 20 W and 40 W. The systems can be used for measurements in air or water.
Our unique PIV equipment is designed and built directly by us in Loerrach, Germany.
The OPTOLUTION synchronizer can be directly attached to the modules. Setting up the system then becomes very easy and can be done directly in PIVlab. Several cameras are supported in PIVlab. But the laser can also accept TTL pulses from a third-party synchronizer. Light sheet optics, an optical rail and a tripod mount (Manfrotto 200PL- Quick Release Plate) are included.
The settings of the OPTOLUTION synchronizer are changed wirelessly (USB radio dongle included) - directly from PIVlab. The very compact LD-PS is actively air-cooled by two fans and has a very small average power consumption.
The most important advantage over continuous wave lasers is that frame straddling can be enabled, allowing to capture higher velocity events using very low interframe time (down to 10 µs interframe time is possible).
Data sheets and instructions can be found on the right-hand side.
The integrated synchronizer generates signals for several camera types.
LED module, 5W module and 40W module (L-R).
Frame-straddling allows to measure very high velocities.
Pulse timing and pulse length are controlled from PIVlab. Pulse length is given in percent of the interframe time.
Typical light signal, measured with a photodiode and an oscilloscope.
The OPTOLUTION synchronizer is directly mounted to the laser modules.