A Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer for Characterizing and Optimizing High Performance Materials, Actuators, and Impulsive Systems

We have acquired a Laser Doppler Vibrometer to enable a wide array of experiments aimed at quantifying various actuators and high-speed, small-scale mechanisms. This system measures out of plane velocities of a moving surface at high sample rates and with a spatial resolution enabling capture of a reasonably large surface. We have explored the use of this system for the characterization of various actuators e.g., piezoelectric and dielectric elastomer as well as their constituent electroactive materials. The system provides the ability to perform high temporal resolution surface analysis, giving us the ability to understand vibration modes in a variety of materials and devices without the need for physical contact.