Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

Measure the velocity of a fluid flow with particle image velocimetry (PIV). Particle Image Velocimetry lets you make non-intrusive full-field fluid flow velocity measurements. Because of this, Vector Analysis is a very powerful technique for performing flow velocity measurements in air or water or for measuring spray droplet / particle velocity using VidPIV – PIV Software . In addition, the same hardware can be used for flow visualization and Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV). Particle image velocity is also able to measure stress and strain within solid systems.

Accurate planar flow measurement

The technique relies on a planar beam of light – a light sheet – usually from a laser. The laser light sheet illuminates particles entrained in a flow. Pairs of images are captured using a high-speed digital camera. PIV software computes how far the particles moved between the two images and a velocity map is generated.

Advanced yet simple

Particle Image Velocimetry has developed to the point where it is now a very commonly used technique in many industrial and research sectors where instantaneous full-field velocity vector maps are required. Oxford Lasers VisiVector systems are designed to be easy to setup and simple to use. VidPIV, our PIV software features an intuitive interface that lets you quickly see how the measurements are being calculated and enables complex analysis to be carried out with ease.

Wide range of systems

PIV systems are used for flow velocity measurements in liquids and gases. Oxford Lasers supplies conventional 2D PIV, stereo PIV, micro PIV and High speed (Time Resolved) systems. We can also provide PIV system components including stand-alone dual pulse and high repetition rate lasers, timing units, optics, cameras and PIV software.