Holographic particle image velocimetry (HPIV)

There are several well-known difficulties in forming and analysing holographic particle data in the micrometre and sub-micrometre size range. This paper suggests that these problems can be overcome by using a combination of research techniques. Firstly, it has been found that it is possible to record images of sub-micrometre particles using conventional photographic materials. Essentially, a diffraction limited optical component has been used to provide aberration free particle images. Secondly, the sensitivity of the holographic material has been increased with the use of specialized holographic processing chemicals. Thirdly, it has been found that it is possible to encode holoraphically double, slightly displaced, particle images using a pulse laser. Thus, Young's fringes can be obtained directly from the stored holographic data and the particle velocity can be measured directly from the hologram. Fourthly, the holographic particle data can be automatically analysed using a software programme. Finally, since the data is stored holographically, it is possible to obtain instantaneous three-dimensional particle velocity. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to perform holographic particle image velocimetry automatically, with only a small amount of pre-processing.