Miniature laser anemometer for 3D measurements

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Abstract
The authors describe an extremely compact laser anemometer primarily intended for boundary layer measurements in centrifugal compressors, but retaining the features and performance of a conventional instrument. The instrument has a very high spatial resolution of 80 mu m in all three dimensions and uses a technique of oblique backscatter to allow sequential measurement of the three orthogonal velocity components. An optical head with a diameter of 20 mm is remotely connected using optical fibres to the laser, photodetector and signal processing equipment. The design of the instrument is discussed, together with the results of laboratory tests which confirm its satisfactory operation.