The Depth of Correlation in Micro-PIV for High Numerical Aperture and Immersion Objectives

The analytical model for the depth of correlation (measurement depth) of a microscopic particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) experiment derived by Olsen and Adrian (Exp. Fluids, 29, pp. S166–S174, 2000) has been modified to be applicable to experiments using high numerical aperture optics. A series of measurements are presented that experimentally quantify the depth of correlation of micro-PIV velocity measurements which employ high numerical aperture and magnification optics. These measurements demonstrate that the modified analytical model is quite accurate in estimating the depth of correlation in micro-PIV measurements using this class of optics. Additionally, it was found that the Gaussian particle approximation made in this model does not significantly affect the model’s performance. It is also demonstrated that this modified analytical model easily predicts the depth of correlation when viewing into a medium of a different index of refraction than the immersion medium.