Laser Vibrometers / Laser-Doppler Vibrometers

For non-contact vibration measurements (velocity, displacement, acceleration) in industry, research, and development.

Non-contact measurement:
No additional mass or influence on the object – ideal for sensitive microstructures and high-speed components.
High resolution and wide frequency range:
Displacement down to 50 fm with a frequency bandwidth from DC to 50 MHz.
Wide application range:
Suitable for test objects from < 1 mm² to > 10 m² – from microstructures to large industrial components.
Direct visualization and system integration:
Data analysis with SMART Lab software and connectivity via Ethernet (1–10 Gbit/s), USB, and optical interfaces.

Talk to an expert Learn more

A car in a test lab with laser beams directed at it for vibration measurement. A colorful vibration pattern is displayed on the driver’s door.

3D-Scanning Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer consisting of three scanning vibrometers analyzing a brake disc with laser beams.

Laser Doppler vibrometer with four connected fiber heads linked to the main unit via cables. A measurement image is displayed on the unit’s screen.

Conventional vibration sensors such as accelerometers must be mounted directly onto the test object – using adhesive, screws, or magnets. This mechanical coupling alters the vibration characteristics of the specimen, especially for lightweight, sensitive, or small structures.

Mounting conventional sensors requires significant effort: cabling, adhesive layers, or positioning errors can further distort measurement results.

Typical disadvantages of conventional sensors:

Mass influence: Added mass alters the natural frequencies of the structure.
Complex installation: Gluing, aligning, curing, and routing cables.
Scalability effort: More measurement points require significantly higher installation effort.
Limited application range: Measurements on hot, moving, or hard-to-reach objects are hardly possible.
Limited resolution: Often restricted to the micrometer range with a narrower frequency bandwidth.

Mechanical coupling can influence measurement results – particularly in sensitive or lightweight components.

An automobile with wired accelerometers attached to measure and visualize vibration behavior. — Physical sensors can influence measurement results and require a complex, time-intensive setup.

Laser-Doppler Vibrometers (LDV) measure non-contact – meaning: no mass, no cabling, and no interference with the vibration behavior.

The laser detects the surface vibration velocity via the Doppler effect and provides precise, reproducible results – even on sensitive, hot, or moving components.

Advantages of non-contact measurement:

No physical contact – no influence on the test object.
High resolution: Detection of displacements down to 50 femtometers (≈ 1/2,000 of an atom’s diameter).
High spatial resolution: Precisely captures local vibrations, even on small structures.
Wide frequency range: DC to 50 MHz (SMART Series) and up to 25 MHz (CLASSIC Series).
Fast, reproducible results with minimal setup effort.
Integrated data acquisition and visualization with SMART Lab.

Laser Doppler Vibrometry delivers precise measurement data – contactless and without affecting the test object.

Vibration analysis of a sports car with laser vibrometers measuring vibrations visualized as a grid pattern on the car. — Laser vibrometers measure vibrations with minimal setup and calibration requirements.

Contact-based vs. Non-contact Vibration Measurement

	Conventional Contact Sensors	Laser Doppler Vibrometers
Influence on the object	Additional mass changes natural frequencies and damping	No influence on the test object
Setup & handling	Requires gluing, screwing, or cabling	Fast, contactless setup without mounting sensors. Accelerometers (reference sensors) can be connected additionally
Measurement range	Up to a few tens of kHz (depending on the sensor)	DC to 50 MHz (SMART Series), up to 25 MHz (CLASSIC Series)
Resolution	Typically in the micrometer range	Down to 50 femtometers (≈ 1/2,000 of an atom’s diameter)
Signal processing	Requires external DAQ or analysis hardware	Integrated data acquisition, signal processing, and visualization (SMART Lab)

Vibration measurement on a new level

The SMART Series from Optomet combines state-of-the-art Laser Doppler Vibrometry with comprehensive NVH measurement technology in one compact system.

The product family includes SMART Single+, SMART Scan+, SMART 3D-Scan, SMART Multi-Fiber, SMART 3D-Fiber, SMART Full-Body, and the SMART DAQ system – integrating all key components for vibration measurement, data analysis, and visualization within a single platform.

Modular, precise, intuitive

The modular concept enables customized configurations – from single-point measurements to complex 3D analyses. Intelligent functions simplify the measurement process, minimize potential errors, and ensure maximum accuracy.

Learn more about the SMART Series and its versatile applications here.

SMART Series laser vibrometer centered among a screen, data acquisition unit, and other components, showing the system’s all-in-one integration. — Optomet SMART vibrometers: An entire laboratory in one single device

Portrait of Tobias Schröder, Head of Sales & Marketing at Optomet

"For more than 20 years, we have been developing precise measurement technology for research, development, and industry – from individual measurement tasks to complex system solutions."

Tobias Schröder (M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering)
Head of Sales & Marketing

Talk to our experts

Reliable vibration measurement with proven technology

Optomet laser vibrometers of the CLASSIC Series stand for precise, non-contact vibration measurement using mature and proven technology. They combine robust design, high measurement dynamics, and a wide frequency range – ideal for research, development, and industrial applications.

The CLASSIC Series also features state-of-the-art SWIR laser technology – ensuring reliable measurements even on dark, rough, or moving surfaces. With a focus on single-point and fiber-optic systems, the CLASSIC Series delivers maximum precision without the use of moving scanning units. Its intuitive operation and digital signal processing enable efficient execution of even complex measurement tasks.

Available in various models – from compact single-point to fiber-optic systems – the CLASSIC Series offers the right solution for every measurement environment.

Learn more about the CLASSIC Series

Person aligning a CLASSIC Series laser vibrometer, about shoebox-sized, mounted on feet.

Different types of vibrometers are used depending on the application – for single-point, surface, or three-dimensional vibration measurements.

Front and rear view of a single-point vibrometer showing data acquisition ports on the back.

Single-Point Laser Vibrometers

Single-point vibrometers enable high-resolution measurements at a single point on the test object – ideal for research, development, and quality control. Using Laser Doppler technology, even the smallest vibrations are detected with high accuracy and without physical contact.

SMART Single+

Front and rear view of a scanning vibrometer showing data acquisition ports on the back.

Scanning Laser Vibrometers

Scanning laser vibrometers automatically and non-contactly measure vibrations across a large number of points. This allows mode shapes, resonances, and vibrations over entire surfaces to be reliably visualized – ideal for modal analysis and structural dynamics investigations.

SMART Scan+

Three scanning vibrometers mounted together on a stand, forming an integrated 3D scanning system.

3D Laser Vibrometers

3D laser vibrometers measure vibrations simultaneously in three spatial directions (x, y, z) – both in-plane and out-of-plane. This technology provides a complete motion profile and is ideal for applications requiring the analysis of directional dependencies or complex structures.

SMART 3D-Scan | SMART 3D-Fiber

Besides the geometry of the measurement system, the choice of laser source is crucial. Depending on the application, Optomet employs HeNe lasers for visible light or SWIR lasers for infrared measurements.

Laser vibrometer with a large lens and an SWIR infrared laser source.

SWIR Laser Vibrometers

SWIR-based laser vibrometers operate at a wavelength of 1550 nm. This technology is the Optomet standard, representing high signal quality, long-term stability, and precision – ideal for demanding applications in research and industry.

CLASSIC Series | SMART Series

Laser vibrometer using a HeNe laser source to measure vibrations through a water layer.

Helium-Neon (HeNe) Laser Vibrometers

Laser vibrometers based on HeNe lasers are measurement systems with a visible laser source. They are particularly suitable for applications requiring measurements through media such as water, as well as for classical laboratory and industrial use where high sensitivity and easy handling are essential.

Vector Series | Vector Micro-Optics