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In conventional laser ultrasonic (LU) single-mode frequency domain synthetic aperture focusing technique (F-SAFT) imaging, the precision of the imaged defect profile is limited due to the influence of the directionality of laser-induced ultrasound and the directionality of detection. To solve this problem, LU-based F-SAFT imaging with the shear wave, longitudinal wave, and mode-converted wave is proposed in this article. In the experiment, multimode bulk waves are excited by a pulsed laser, and a laser Doppler vibrometer is employed to detect ultrasound waves. The F-SAFT imaging is performed with single-mode and multimode ultrasound wave signals, respectively. The results show that F-SAFT imaging fusing three mode signals (shear, longitudinal, and mode-converted waves) improves the range of the upper surface of the imaged defect by nearly two times. In addition, the profile of the imaged defect is more complete than that of using a combination of both longitudinal and shear waves. By analyzing the influence of the directionality of laser-induced ultrasound and the detection directionality caused by the out-of-plane ultrasound component on the imaging results, a theoretical approach is used to select a reasonable excitation–detection distance for the use of multimode-fused F-SAFT algorithm. Furthermore, the feasibility of the theoretical approach is verified by the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT) is employed in laser ultrasonic non-destructive testing to image defects. However, during the laser ultrasonic imaging process, the influence of multi-mode waves often introduces various artifacts in the imaging results. We investigated a multi-iteration frequency-domain SAFT (MIF-SAFT) algorithm to tackle this challenge. Initially, a single low-precision F-SAFT imaging result is performed to identify potential defect locations. Subsequently, a back-projection method is applied to determine defect positions and separates acoustic waves of different modes in the B-scan. After that, a multi-mode F-SAFT imaging is performed for evaluation, and the above process is repeated until the imaging outcome stabilizes. The result shows that artifacts are removed when the image remains unchanged after multiple iterations, and the imaging quality is effectively improved by MIF-SAFT. Furthermore, including directivity patterns of laser ultrasound also enhances defect imaging capabilities within MIF-SAFT. Additionally, we examined the MIF-SAFT's capacity to detect multiple defects, which can image them simultaneously. • Multi-iteration in F-SAFT for artifact removal. • Different ultrasonic signals are separated by using the algorithm. • Directivity patterns are performed to enhance the imaging result. • Applied for multiple defects imaging simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser Ultrasonic Spatially Resolved Acoustic Spectroscopy (SRAS) is a technique used for detecting the grain size of metal surfaces. It involves exciting Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) using a grated light source and employs optical deflection techniques to detect ultrasound. The differences in sound velocity between different grains are utilized for grain size characterization. However, this technique is susceptible to the influence of sample surface roughness, resulting in issues like low signal-to-noise ratio and waveform distortion. To address these challenges, a study was conducted on grain size characterization using Laser Ultrasonic SRAS based on Improved Variational Mode Decomposition (IVMD). This involved optimizing Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) by introducing Permutation Entropy (PE), Weighted Spectral Kurtosis (WSK), and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). Adaptive decomposition and selection of simulated surface wave signals were employed to achieve signal recovery. A comparison with Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) demonstrated that the proposed algorithm had higher noise robustness. The Laser Ultrasonic SRAS detection system was used to characterize the grain size of Ti-6Al-4V casting alloys, and the data were processed using the proposed algorithm. The results were consistent with optical microscopy images, further confirming the reliability and effectiveness of the improved algorithm. The research findings indicate that Laser Ultrasonic Spatially Resolved Acoustic Spectroscopy based on IVMD can effectively reduce the impact of noise on detection signals, thereby enhancing the detectability of grain size measurement. • The grain size of Ti-6Al-4V is characterized by a Laser Ultrasonic SRAS system. • An IVMD algorithm is proposed to address the issue of low SNR. • The proposed algorithm can adaptively decompose and select ultrasound signal. • The detectability of grain size detection has been improved by IVMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laser ultrasonics (LU) based frequency domain synthetic aperture focusing technology (LUB-F-SAFT), which uses 2D equivalent velocity (SEV) and fuses multi-mode ultrasound, is developed to image the internal horizontal hole defects with a diameter of ∼ 1. 0 mm in bimetallic composites. Bulk waves non-destructively excited by a line-shaped laser are detected by a vibrometer away from the excitation. The results indicate that the LUB-F-SAFT with SEV can improve the imaging quality and locating capability, and the testing error is about 0. 02 mm. The improvement in the imaging quality using SEV for different ratios of the first layer thickness to defect-to-interface distances is discussed. In addition, a theoretical approach based on the directionality of the detected ultrasound is applied to determine a reasonable excitation-detection distance for better defect imaging. A LUB-F-SAFT imaging combining multi-mode waves is employed to improve the range of defect profiles. The results show that the range of the imaged defect profile becomes larger using the multi-mode fused LUB-F-SAFT imaging, which is an improvement of about 49.2% compared to the shear wave imaging result. • LUB-F-SAFT imaging with SEV is developed for bilayer media. • The SEV corrects distortion and position bias of defect. • A optimized excitation-detection distance for better defect imaging. • A multi-mode fused LUB-F-SAFT improve the profile of the defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate frequency-domain synthetic aperture focusing technology (F-SAFT) based on 2-D equivalent velocity mapping is proposed for laser ultrasonic testing (LUT) to detect and image internal defects in specimens. The equivalent velocity mapping varies with depth and spatial frequency to match the characteristics of the separated excitation and detection commonly used in LUT. Bulk acoustic waves are non-destructively excited by a line-shaped laser source and are detected by a laser Doppler Vibrometer. By compensating for the distance shift arising from the separation of the laser spots, the imaging defect location is corrected. Several optimisations of the algorithm are carried out: the calculation time of the equivalent velocity is reduced by simplifying its expression, and the imaging quality, especially for defects with a shallow depth, is improved by the 2-D equivalent velocity mapping. The results show that compared with traditional F-SAFT, the optimised F-SAFT algorithm can not only improve the imaging quality but also locate the defect more accurately with separated excitation and detection. • F-SAFT with various velocity mappings for separated excitation and detection. • 2-D velocity mapping with high calculation efficiency. • Improved imaging quality of shallow defects by optimising equivalent velocity. • Corrected defect's horizontal location by compensating imaging shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different from the traditional frequency-mixing technique which employs a contacting transducer, the laser-induced acoustic nonlinear frequency-mixing detection technique utilizes a laser source to instigate crack motion and generate acoustic waves. Thus, apart from the temperature oscillation induced by the pump laser, the "basic temperature" originating from the probe laser can also influence the crack. This additional variable complicates the contact state of the crack, yielding a more diverse range of nonlinear acoustic signal attributes. In light of this, our study enhances the conventional opto-acoustic nonlinear frequency mixing experimental setup by integrating an independent heating laser beam. This modification isolates the impact of the "basic temperature" on crack width while also dialing down the probe laser power to mitigate its thermal effects. To amplify the sensitivity of crack detection, we deliberated on the optimal laser source parameters for this setup. Consequently, our revamped system, paired with fine-tuned parameters, captures nonlinear acoustic signals with an enriched feature set. This investigation can provide support for the non-contact opto-acoustic nonlinear frequency mixing technique in the detection and evaluation of micro-cracks. • A three-beam opto-acoustic nonlinear frequency-mixing technique is proposed. • The addition of the third cw laser enables finer adjustments to the crack. • Richer nonlinear acoustic features are obtained using the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]