RESUMEN
The scanning laser source (SLS) technique has been proposed recently as an effective way to investigate small surface-breaking cracks. By monitoring the amplitude and frequency changes of the ultrasound generated as the SLS scans over a defect, the SLS technique has provided enhanced signal-to-noise performance compared to the traditional pitch-catch or pulse-echo ultrasonic methods. In previous work, either a point source or a short line source was used for generation of ultrasound. The resulting Rayleigh wave was typically bipolar in nature. In this paper, a scanning laser line source (SLLS) technique using a true thermoelastic line source (which leads to generation of monopolar surface waves) is demonstrated experimentally and through numerical simulation. Experiments are performed using a line-focused Nd:YAG laser and interferometric detection. For the numerical simulation, a hybrid model combining a mass-spring lattice method (MSLM) and a finite difference method (FDM) is used. As the SLLS is scanned over a surface-breaking flaw, it is shown both experimentally and numerically that the monopolar Rayleigh wave becomes bipolar, dramatically indicating the presence of the flaw.
RESUMEN
The scanning laser source (SLS) technique is a promising new laser ultrasonic tool for the detection of small surface-breaking defects. The SLS approach is based on monitoring the changes in laser generated ultrasound as a laser source is scanned over a defect. Changes in amplitude and frequency content have been observed for ultrasound generated by the laser over uniform and defective areas. In this paper, the SLS technique is simulated numerically using the mass spring lattice model. Thermoelastic laser generation of ultrasound in an elastic material is modeled using a shear dipole distribution. The spatial and temporal energy distribution profiles of typical pulsed laser sources are used to model the laser source. The amplitude and spectral variations in the laser generated ultrasound as the SLS scans over a large aluminum block containing a small surface-breaking crack are observed. The experimentally observed SLS amplitude and spectral signatures are shown to be captured very well by the model. In addition, the possibility of utilizing the SLS technique to size surface-breaking cracks that are sub-wavelength in depth is explored.
