What is it about?
We developed a method for measuring the elasticity and thickness of a layer by generating ultrasonic waves that overlap each other in the sample and measuring how the surface moves at a specific point. The method is demonstrated on industry-relevant materials by directing intense laser light in the form of a periodic line pattern onto the sample to generate the interfering waves and using a second laser to measure the resulting surface movement. This way no sample contact - apart from light - is necessary. Additionally, the method does not require any scanning or other types of movement, making it exceptionally fast.
Featured Image
Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Established techniques for layer measurements are either slow, or destroy the sample in the process. Our method does not damage the sample and it can be done in a single-shot if no averaging is needed. This makes the method suitable for moving samples, for example in a production line.
Perspectives
Writing this article was an important part of my doctoral thesis and was made possible by the great support of my co-authors. I am particularly proud that this work was selected from among many other great articles as the cover image for the July 2025 issue of the journal "Review of Scientific Instruments".
Georg Watzl
Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing Gmbh (RECENDT)
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Single-shot capable surface acoustic wave dispersion measurement of a layered plate, Review of Scientific Instruments, July 2025, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0260287.
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