Entomology

For every living species on our planet, there are corresponding biological applications of laser vibrometry. One of the most well-known ones is insect communication. Certain insects, such as the cicada, communicate by “singing” in the audible frequency range, while other sounds produced are ultrasonic and imperceptible to humans. Some insects are so small that their signals are, in actual fact, only vibrations that are transmitted through plants.

Entomologists can detect these audible and inaudible sounds using laser vibrometers. Non-contact measuring technology allows them to “listen in” on animals without disturbing them, and thereby examine their natural communication behaviour. Imagine the honeycomb vibrations in beehives. Signals such as these can only be measured with highly sophisticated measuring technology. Other biological applications include studying communication between elephants, fruit ripeness, spiderweb motion and the hearing mechanism in crickets, frogs or fruit flies. Another benefit of laser vibrometers lies in the fact that the measuring technology is portable and has its own self-sufficient power supply, allowing you to carry out measurements right in the field too.