A LASER DOPPLER VELOCIMETER EMPLOYING LASER AS A MIXER-OSCILLATOR

A laser Doppler velocimeter is described in which the laser is employed not only as a light source, but also as a mixer-oscillator, in order to give a simpler optical system. The efficiency is comparable to that of a con-ventional system, such as a Michelson interferometer, and coherence requirements do not impose very severe restrictions. The frequency response of the system is also considered. Measurements of the coherence and frequency response of the system are also given.