A patent for this technique was applied for in May 1997. The claims of the patent were accepted in January 1998, and final preparations for official acceptance are underway. The main objectives of the research is Laser-based Ultrasound with emphasis on experimental implementation. Ultrasound images of damaged composite panels. The darker regions correspond to subsurface damage which resulted from impact damage.
Lighter regions correspond to good reception of the ultrasound.
Since 1991, we researched, designed, constructed, and operate the Laser Ultrasonic Systems at the University of Delaware. This includes researching and purchasing the necessary equipment, designing and building photodetectors, servo circuits, filters, and amplifiers suitable for laser ultrasonics, designing and building a stabilization circuit for a confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer, maintaining the laser ultrasonic systems, all under the advisement of Dr. James B. Mehl and Dr. Karl V. Steiner. Research Papers Click on the title to see the paper abstract. Methods for Studying Ablation Phenomena using Laser Ultrasonics , Master's Thesis, University of Delaware, May 1995. If you have a potential application and would like to discuss a possible collaboration, or would like additional information, please contact any of the participants mentioned above or the Center for Composite Materials.