About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Paper
Photoacoustic generation and detection of 10-ns acoustic pulses in solids
Abstract
We describe the generation and detection of short acoustic pulses (∼10-ns widths) in opaque plates, using weak laser pulses (less than 1-mJ energy) for excitation. The longitudinal, shear, and surface acoustic waves generated by a single laser pulse can be time resolved by using a thin-film piezoelectric transducer, and acoustic mode conversions at surfaces are clearly observable. This new photoacoustic material testing technique is useful for fast ultrasonic measurements or for detecting deep subsurface flaws.