Measurement of in-plane and out-of-plane ultrasonic displacements by optical heterodyne interferometry

Abstract

An heterodyne optical probe, which permits one to measure out-of-plane and in-plane displacements at the surface of a specimen excited by ultrasound is presented. The principles at the basis of the two modes of operation are explained and the sensitivities for in-plane and out-of-plane detection are analyzed. The optical layout of the probe and the schematic of its demodulation circuitry are presented. Its accuracy is tested with Rayleigh surface waves. Examples of application to laser-generated Rayleigh and Lamb waves are also presented.