Laser Doppler Velocimetry: Analytical Solutions of the Optical System Including the Effects of Partial Coherence of the Source,

Within the framework of ABCD matrix theory, analytical expressions are derived for the time lagged covariance of a classical laser Doppler velocimetry system as a function of the laser spot size, the limiting aperture, and the measurement aperture size. Both partial and fully developed speckle are considered, as well as planar and rotating targets. Further, error estimates are presented that indicate how well one can determine the velocity, in practice, of both planar and rotating targets, and a comparison with time of flight velocimetry is given.