An apparatus for high precision measurements of ultrasonic wave velocity

An automatic gated-carrier pulse superposition system for high precision ultrasonic velocity measurements is described, having better stability and lower cost than previous equipment. The necessary new integrated circuitry, and the method of operation, are described in detail. The principal application is to the measurement of small changes in the velocity of MHz ultrasonic waves, such as occur when materials are subjected to stress. Results are presented confirming a detection sensitivity of 1 part in 10.