Forbes, ABotha, LRDu Preez, NDrake, TE2007-07-052007-07-052006-07Forbes, A, et al. 2006. Design and optimisation of a pulsed CO2 laser for laser ultrasonic applications. South African Journal of Science 102, July/August 2006, Vol. 102(7/8), pp 329-3340038-2353http://hdl.handle.net/10204/978Copyright: 2006 Acad Science South Africa A S S AFLaser ultrasonic is currently the optimal method for non-destructive testing of composite materials in the aerospace industry. The process is based on a laser-generated, ultrasound wave which propagates inside the composite. The response at the material surface is detected and converted into a defect map across the aircraft. The design and optimization of a laser system for this application, together with the basic science involved, is reviewed in this paper. This includes the optimization of laser parameters, such as output couplers and gas mixture, and the impact these choices have on the laser chemistry. We present a theory for the catalytic recombination of the gas which shows excellent agreement with experiment. Finally, an operating laser system for this application, yielding a six fold improvement in performance over conventional laser systems, is described.enLaser ultrasonicsLaser parametersGas influencesStable dischargeArticleForbes, A., Botha, L., Du Preez, N., & Drake, T. (2006). Design and optimisation of a pulsed CO2 laser for laser ultrasonic applications. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/978Forbes, A, LR Botha, N Du Preez, and TE Drake "Design and optimisation of a pulsed CO2 laser for laser ultrasonic applications." (2006) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/978Forbes A, Botha L, Du Preez N, Drake T. Design and optimisation of a pulsed CO2 laser for laser ultrasonic applications. 2006; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/978.TY - Article AU - Forbes, A AU - Botha, LR AU - Du Preez, N AU - Drake, TE AB - Laser ultrasonic is currently the optimal method for non-destructive testing of composite materials in the aerospace industry. The process is based on a laser-generated, ultrasound wave which propagates inside the composite. The response at the material surface is detected and converted into a defect map across the aircraft. The design and optimization of a laser system for this application, together with the basic science involved, is reviewed in this paper. This includes the optimization of laser parameters, such as output couplers and gas mixture, and the impact these choices have on the laser chemistry. We present a theory for the catalytic recombination of the gas which shows excellent agreement with experiment. Finally, an operating laser system for this application, yielding a six fold improvement in performance over conventional laser systems, is described. DA - 2006-07 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Laser ultrasonics KW - Laser parameters KW - Gas influences KW - Stable discharge LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2006 SM - 0038-2353 T1 - Design and optimisation of a pulsed CO2 laser for laser ultrasonic applications TI - Design and optimisation of a pulsed CO2 laser for laser ultrasonic applications UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/978 ER -