Applications Information

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Particle Image Velocimetry

Synchronizers in PIV Research

The synchronizer acts as an external trigger for both the camera and the laser. In the past, analogue systems in the form of a photosensor, rotating aperture and a light source have been used but most systems in use today are digital. Controlled by a computer, our synchronizers can dictate the timing of each frame of the CCD camera's sequence in conjunction with the firing of the laser to within 250ps. Thus the time between each pulse of the laser and the placement of the laser shot in reference to the camera's timing can be accurately controlled. Knowledge of this timing is critical as it is needed to determine the velocity of the fluid in the PIV analysis.

Importance of Advanced Digital Synchronizers

Today, with PIV research becoming more and more demanding, it is critical that timing and synchronicity are both accurate and precisely controllable. By using a Quantum Composers Precision Pulse Generator, researchers can be sure that their applications and experiments maintain competitive levels of accuracy. Quantum Composers instruments have fine timing resolution, low jitter, complex yet flexible programming, and a full complement of computer interfaces (RS232, GPIB, USB, Ethernet).

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

LIBS Timing & Synchronicity

Timing is a variable in every LIBS application and proper synchronization between the laser and detector and ICCD can greatly enhance the efficacy of a system

LIBS & Quantum Composers' Pulse Generators

Digital Delay Generators are an important device in all LIBS experiments due to the need for precise timing between the laser and the detector. The use of a Pulse Generator can set the duration of detector gate and set the time between lasers and coordinate them for dual pulse applications. They can also be used to determine the rate and number of pulses for a multiple pulse setting.

Pulse Generator Features

• Multiple pulses from one laser or firing of several lasers
• DDG burst function allowing Low energy multiple pulses
• Dual pulse methods have improved the limits of detection for many LIBS applications
• Sequencing enables synchronizing several lasers with a single detector via a multi-channel DDG
• Timing is a variable in every LIBS application and proper timing can greatly enhance the efficacy of a system.

Why a Precision Pulse Generator is Necessary for LIBS

The dynamics of the laser plume/plasma in LIBS determines the optimal time to take measurements
The vapor plume expands after the laser, then two shockwaves – in the background gas region and in the vapor plume occur, then from a few µS to tens of µS, the plume experiences radiative heat loss. Dynamic changes occur with time. Bottom line – wavelength, type of sample, laser energy, laser width, your detector configuration – all affect the optimal time to take a measurement.

Precise configurations of your timeline for measurement are essential to the quality of data. These Digital delay generators will allow you to record your settings in its memory banks so that your research is repeatable and verifiable.

Light Detection and Ranging

LIDAR Timing & Synchronicity

The complexity of LIDAR systems has grown around the specific applications.

About LIDAR

LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is an optical remote sensing technology that measures properties of scattered light to find range or other information of a distant target. The prevalent method to determine distance to an object or surface is to use laser pulses. Like the similar radar technology, which uses radio waves, the range to an object is determined by measuring the time delay between transmission of a pulse and detection of the reflected signal. LIDAR technology has application in geomatics, archaeology, geography, geology, geomorphology, seismology, forestry, remote sensing and atmospheric physics. Applications of LIDAR include ALSM (Airborne Laser Swath Mapping), laser altimetry or LIDAR Contour Mapping. The acronym LIDAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) is often used in military contexts. The term laser radar is also in use but is misleading because it uses laser light and not the radiowaves that are the basis of conventional radar.


Timing in LIDAR Applications

Timing is a variable in every LIDAR application and proper synchronization between the laser, light collection and detector can greatly enhance the efficacy of a system and analysis result.Our family of synchronizers offers the flexibility in both cost and performance to meet the requirements of any LIDAR experiment.