This
educational kit shows the basics of distance measurement
with lasers to students. The application, also
known as LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging), works
like another well known range measurement system,
RADAR (RAdio Detection And Ranging) , but uses
instead of radio waves light waves.
The LIDAR system transmits light to a target and the transmitted light
interacts with and is changed by the target. Basicly three systems
are used in applications: Range finding by pulsed lasers, velocity
measurement by cw-lasers and measuring chemical concentrations in the
atmosphrer by light light absorption. Within the kit a complete pulsed
laser range finder system will be assembled. The students can measure
distances with a pulsed laser by evaluation of the measured signals.
The kit includes all necessary parts like, mechanical components, optics,
detectors and electronics to show the cooperation very impressive.
The used 30 mW laser diode send a short pulse to a target. A trigger
pulse produced by an optics and a photo detector starts the measurement
and synchronizes one channel of an oscilloscope , the reflected laser
pulse stops the measurement. The time measured between start and stop
signal represents the distance which can be calculated with speed of
light.
The system allows to measure distances even below 10 meters. This educational
kit requires a two channel 100 MHz oscilloscope (optional available).
