Miniature Instrumentation for Photon Correlation Experiments

Abstract

Traditional optical systems for photon correlation laser anemometry and spectroscopy have relied upon physically large and fairly expensive lasers, "bulk-optics" such as lenses of a few inches diameter, large mechanical mounts etc and carefully selected, fragile and bulky photon-counting photomultiplier detectors. In some cases experimental fluid dynamics at a desired position in a flow, perhaps deep inside complex machinery, is physically impossible or very difficult. Similar problems exist with photon correlation spectroscopy, eg., heterodyne experiments. We have investigated and characterized various optical and electro-optical components with the aim of replacing existing photon correlation laser anemometry and spectroscopy techniques in miniaturized form, and with significant cost reduction.