NDE using laser generated ultrasound and integrated ultrasonic transducer receivers

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of parts using laser generated ultrasound and integrated ultrasonic transducers (IUTs) as receiver is presented. Pulsed laser represents a versatile ultrasound generation transducer. Sol-gel fabricated thick piezoelectric film IUTs coated directly onto steel, aluminum (Al) and graphite/epoxy (Gr/Ep) composites substrates with planar or curves surfaces serve as efficient ultrasonic receivers without the need of couplant. Ultrasonic NDE of metals and Gr/Ep composite using laser generation in the thermoelastic or ablation regime and IUT receiving in longitudinal bulk waves, symmetric or shear-horizontal plate acoustic waves has been carried out.