Using eigenmodes to perform the inverse problem associated with resonant ultrasound spectroscopy.

In principle, resonant ultrasonic spectroscopy (RUS) can be used to characterize any parameter that influences the mechanical resonant response of a sample. Examples include the elastic constants, sample dimensions, and crystal orientation. Extracting the parameter of interest involves performing the inverse problem, which typically entails an iterative routine that compares calculated and measured eigenfrequencies. Here, we propose an alternative method based on laser-based resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (LRUS) that uses the eigenmodes. LRUS uses a pulsed laser to thermoelastically excite ultrasound and an interferometer to detect out-of-plane displacement associated with ultrasonic resonances. By raster scanning the probe along the sample surface, an image of the out-of-plane displacement pattern (i.e., eigenmode) is obtained. As an example of this method, we describe a technique to calculate the crystallographic orientation of a single-crystal high-purity copper sample. The crystallographic orientation is computed by comparing theoretical and experimental eigenmodes. The computed angle is shown to be in very good agreement with the angle obtained using electron backscatter diffraction. In addition, a comparison is made using eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes to calculate the crystallographic orientation. It is found for this particular application, the eigenmode method has superior sensitivity to crystal orientation.