All-fiber photoacoustic system for large-area nondestructive testing

Abstract

Nondestructive testing (NDT) is of paramount importance in ensuring the safe operation of equipment. Among various NDT techniques, ultrasonic NDT has garnered widespread attention due to its high sensitivity, fast speed, and accurate defect location. Photoacoustic NDT, a burgeoning field in ultrasonic NDT, is particularly attractive due to its immunity to electromagnetic interference. However, existing photoacoustic NDT systems suffer from inadequate excitation intensity and complex ultrasonic signal characteristics, impeding large-area NDT and accurate crack visualization. In this study, we present an all-fiber photoacoustic system for large-area NDT. To address the issues, we have developed a photoacoustic generator unit that can be optimized and controlled to generate stronger ultrasonic signals. Furthermore, we have employed mode decomposition to simplify the detected ultrasonic signals by mitigating the acoustic impedance mismatch-induced mode mixing problem in the system. As a result, the technology allows for large-area crack monitoring of up to 50*50 cm2 with an improved resolution of 1 mm. The present technology paves the way for high-resolution equipment crack monitoring with substantially enhanced accuracy in various environments.