High repetition rate solid state switched CO2 TEA laser employed in industrial ultrasonic testing of aircraft parts

Hubertus von Bergmann; Francois Morkel; Timo Stehmann

doi:10.1117/12.2068002

3 February 2015 High repetition ration solid state switched CO₂ TEA laser employed in industrial ultrasonic testing of aircraft parts

Hubertus von Bergmann, Francois Morkel, Timo Stehmann

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9255, XX International Symposium on High-Power Laser Systems and Applications 2014; 92552U (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2068002
Event: XX International Symposium on High Power Laser Systems and Applications, 2014, Chengdu, China

Abstract

Laser Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is an important technique for the non-destructive inspection of composite parts in the aerospace industry. In laser UT a high power, short pulse probe laser is scanned across the material surface, generating ultrasound waves which can be detected by a second low power laser system and are used to draw a defect map of the part. We report on the design and testing of a transversely excited atmospheric pressure (TEA) CO₂ laser system specifically optimised for laser UT. The laser is excited by a novel solid-state switched pulsing system and utilises either spark or corona preionisation. It provides short output pulses of less than 100 ns at repetition rates of up to 1 kHz, optimised for efficient ultrasonic wave generation. The system has been designed for highly reliable operation under industrial conditions and a long term test with total pulse counts in excess of 5 billion laser pulses is reported.

Citation Download Citation

Hubertus von Bergmann, Francois Morkel, and Timo Stehmann "High repetition ration solid state switched CO₂ TEA laser employed in industrial ultrasonic testing of aircraft parts", Proc. SPIE 9255, XX International Symposium on High-Power Laser Systems and Applications 2014, 92552U (3 February 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2068002

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