Wavelength-insensitive laser Doppler velocimeter using beam position shift induced by Mach-Zehnder interferometers

Abstract

A novel wavelength-insensitive differential laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) without a grating has been proposed. The proposed LDV utilizes a position shift of the beam at the input plane according to wavelength change induced by Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). The gradual shift in the incident angle of the beam to the object is brought about with the combination of MZIs, lenses and apertures. The characteristics of the proposed structure are simulated using paraxial approximation of a lens system with an aperture. The simulation results indicate that almost wavelength-insensitive operation can be obtained by using the proposed structure without any grating element.