Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) measures the high frequency vibrations of surfaces by focusing a laser onto a sample and observing the reflected light.

As the surface of a sample oscillates, it causes the wavelength of incident laser light to lengthen or shorten. Comparing this Doppler shifted reflected light to a reference beam provides information on the velocity, displacement, and phase of the surface vibrations.

LDV is useful in the characterisation of MEMS devices, as well as piezoelectrics and surface acoustic wave devices.