Lazound
A state-of-the-art, non-contact, laser-based ultrasonic (LBU) inspection tool, NCI's Lazound system utilizes fiber-optic technology to address applications in which conventional ultrasound has proven inadequate.
For many complex inspection requirements, harsh environments and the strict need to avoid contact and contamination make traditional ultrasonic NDE techniques virtually un-workable. NCI's Lazound addresses those traditional limitations, and provides a robust and portable method for approaching such complex inspection issues.
For many complex inspection requirements, harsh environments and the strict need to avoid contact and contamination make traditional ultrasonic NDE techniques virtually un-workable. NCI's Lazound addresses those traditional limitations, and provides a robust and portable method for approaching such complex inspection issues.
NCI's Laser-Based Ultrasonic Inspection Tool
The Lazound system consists of: a unit that directs a pulsed laser on to the surface, generating an ultrasound wave in the object under inspection; and an optical interferometer that detects the reflected ultrasound. NCI engineers performed experiments to optimize each unit independently, and then combined them to form a completely non-contact inspection system.
Lazound Benefits
- No contact is ever made with testing surface, providing extended inspection capabilities for difficult environments.
- The system can inspect curved and irregular parts, so no environment is too complex.
- Laser Ultrasound inspection is immune to high temperatures associated with some inspection requirements.
- The Lazound system is compact and portable, providing an on-the-go flexibility for inspections.
- The system is ideal for areas of difficult access.
System Features
- All-fiber design eliminates optical alignment problems
- No bulky optical bench required for vibration isolation
- Sagnac configuration makes Lazound immune to environmental temperature changes
- Lazound is unaffected by low frequency vibrations
- Polar-metric design maintains response at quadrature points without active control of the optical path
- Low noise resulting from zero-phase-mismatch and balanced detection
- Low cost multi-mode efficient laser diode for detection
- Center detection frequency can be specified