Patent ID: 6040899
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
An optical velocimetric probe configured to measure particles in relative motion with respect to the probe, said probe comprising:an illuminating device configured to illuminate, with a first light beam, a measurement volume through which said particles pass, wherein said illuminating device includes a focusing means configured to focus said first light beam on said measurement volume;means for optical detection of a second light beam which includes a third light beam back scattered by the particles in order to produce an electric signal in response to the passage of one of said particles through the measurement volume;a device configured to provide a reference light beam from said first light beam;a device configured to produce interference between said reference light beam and said third light beam wherein said interference is contained in said second light beam, wherein a wavefront of the third light beam and a wavefront of the reference light beam are planar and have substantially identical geometries when interfering.