A new optical method for the detection of in-plane motion of ultrasound propagating in metals

This paper describes a laser optical technique for the detection of in-plane (IP) motion of ultrasonic waves propagating in solids. This interference-based laser optical technique includes a tiny square indentation with a width of about 30 μm on the sample surface and a relatively simple optical arrangement. The current technique is applied for the detection of in-plane motions of Lamb waves propagating in a thin brass plate. Measurement of S₀ mode dominated by in-plane motion in the low fd (frequency times thickness) regime is successfully demonstrated with the current technique. The newly proposed non-contact technique provides an alternative other than the heterodyne and Fabry-Perot techniques for the detection of IP motions with a relatively simple optical arrangement. This technique is not readily applicable to general NDE applications, where a position scan or an arbitrary selection of inspection location is needed. However, this technique can be useful in the areas such as fixed-position ultrasound monitoring or laboratory research activities involving optical detection of IP motion.