Generalized synthetic aperture,focused transducer,pulse-echo,ultrasonic scan data processing for non-destructive inspection

A technique has been developed for processing ultrasonic focused transducer pulse-echo scan data for improved non-destructive inspection of subjects having non-smooth or analytically discontinuous front surfaces. Synthetic aperture focusing, phase shifted average processing is used where the entire inspection field is focused. This development was for two dimensions but is easily extended to three. The method uses finite elements to define the front surface geometry and includes an arbitrarily varying transducer scan path. Transducer tilt angle and synthetic aperture may take on a full range of values. A general computer code has been written to perform this processing and so prepare data for imaging. A test/comparison example is given.     

A row–column addressed micromachined ultrasonic transducer array for surface scanning applications

Row–column addressed arrays for ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) applications are analyzed and demonstrated in this paper. Simulation and experimental results of a row–column addressed 32 by 32 capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array are presented. The CMUT array, which was designed for medical imaging applications, has a center frequency of 5.3 MHz. The CMUT array was used to perform C-scans on test objects with holes that have diameters of 1.0 mm and 0.5 mm. The array transducer has an aperture size of 4.8 mm by 4.8 mm, and it was used to scan an area of 4.0 mm by 4.0 mm. Compared to an N by N fully addressed 2-D array, a row–column addressed array of the same number of elements requires fewer (N instead of N²) pairs of interconnection and supporting electronic components such as pulsers and amplifiers. Even though the resulting field of view is limit by the aperture size, row–column addressed arrays and the row–column addressing scheme can be an alternative option of 2-D arrays for NDT applications.     

线阵扫描超声相关合成成像方法与实验

本文讨论了改进的医用B超线阵扫描探头在工业无损检测中的应用．在合成孔径聚焦技术（SAFT）基础上提出了改进方法，在探元响应带宽较窄的情况下可获得较高信噪比的成像结果．文中介绍了成像系统，实验方法，并给出了一些实验结果．     

Sparse signal representation and its applications in ultrasonic NDE

Many sparse signal representation (SSR) algorithms have been developed in the past decade. The advantages of SSR such as compact representations and super resolution lead to the state of the art performance of SSR for processing ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) signals. Choosing a suitable SSR algorithm and designing an appropriate overcomplete dictionary is a key for success. After a brief review of sparse signal representation methods and the design of overcomplete dictionaries, this paper addresses the recent accomplishments of SSR for processing ultrasonic NDE signals. The advantages and limitations of SSR algorithms and various overcomplete dictionaries widely-used in ultrasonic NDE applications are explored in depth. Their performance improvement compared to conventional signal processing methods in many applications such as ultrasonic flaw detection and noise suppression, echo separation and echo estimation, and ultrasonic imaging is investigated. The challenging issues met in practical ultrasonic NDE applications for example the design of a good dictionary are discussed. Representative experimental results are presented for demonstration.     

Photoacoustic microscopy by scanning mirror-based synthetic aperture focusing technique

Photoacoustic imaging with a synthetic aperture focusing technique(SAFT) is an effective method to improve the lateral resolution for out-of-focus regions in scanning microscopy systems, which commonly require a decent motorized scanning stage for a lateral scan of a transducer to obtain a cross-sectional image. In this study, we propose and test a photoacoustic imaging system with a scanning mirror-based SAFT(SM-SAFT) for simple and fast data acquisition, without the need for a physical scan of the transducer. Photoacoustic images of hair phantoms acquired by SM-SAFT are demonstrated, serving as a proof-of-concept experiment to show the feasibility and potential of the proposed approach.     

Square pulse thermography in frequency domain as adaptation of pulsed phase thermography for qualitative and quantitative applications in cultural heritage and civil engineering

A methodical approach for qualitative and quantitative non-destructive testing of near-surface structures in civil engineering (CE) with active thermography is presented. It adopts the non-destructive testing (NDT) method of pulsed phase thermography (PPT) for the special requirements of CE and cultural heritage. The concept might be understood as a square pulse thermography (SPT) in frequency domain or an amplitude-expanded PPT with square pulse heating.After a discussion of the material spanning concept and qualitative results in cultural heritage a new approach for quantitative non-destructive testing (NDT) of near-surface structures in CE with active thermography is introduced and tested by investigations on concrete specimen with artificial defects. It is based on the thermal diffusivity of the material and the characteristic frequency of the first extrema of phase and amplitude contrast and aims at complementing the established approaches for defect depth calculation for measurements with long heating and observation times. It should be easily extendable to other fields of application.     

Defect imaging with elastic waves in inhomogeneous-anisotropic materials with composite geometries

Imaging of defects in composite structures plays an important role in non-destructive testing (NDT) with elastic waves, i.e., ultrasound. Traditionally the imaging of such defects is performed using the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) algorithm assuming homogeneous isotropic materials. However, if parts of the structure are inhomogeneous and/or anisotropic, this algorithm fail to produce correct results that are needed in order to asses the lifetime of the part under test. Here we present a modification of this algorithm which enables a correct imaging of defects in inhomogeneous and/or anisotropic composite structures, whence it is termed InASAFT. The InASAFT is based on the exact modelling of the structure in order to account for the true nature of the elastic wave propagation using travel time ray tracing techniques. The algorithm is validated upon several numerical and real life examples yielding satisfactory results for imaging of cracks. The modified algorithm suffers, though, from the same difficulties encountered in the SAFT algorithm, namely “ghost” images and eventual lack of clear focused images. However, these artifacts can be identified using a forward wave propagation analysis of the structure.     

复合材料的超声检测与评价

由于复合材料在工业上得到了广泛的应用，使工业界对复合材料的超声无损检测与评价技术提出了更高的要求，在复合材料超声检测与评价中遇到了一些新问题，因而也就有新发现，本文介绍了纤维增强复合材料超声检测与评价技术的某些进展。     

Imaging Simulation for MMW Synthetic Aperture Radiometer

A synthetic aperture radiometer is a new type of passive remote sensing instrument that can reach high spatial resolution. Restricted by antenna element size and operating wavelength, however, the system design is difficult at MMW band. In this paper, main technical parameters optimization of a synthetic aperture radiometer is discussed. Based on low-redundancy linear arrays, a millimeter wave synthetic aperture radiometric imaging scheme is presented. The simulation experimental results show that the system imaging effect depends on the synthetic aperture antenna pattern.     

光学综合孔径望远镜成像分析及计算机仿真

阐述了光学综合孔径(OSA)望远镜成像原理以及综合孔径望远镜的几种实现形式；采用快速傅里叶变换(FFT)算法得到了任意子孔径综合模式下的点扩展函数(PSF)和光学传递函数(OTF)分布；从子孔径结构排列、共相位、图像恢复几个方面论述了光学综合孔径的成像特征。初步分析了稀疏率、填充因子、“实际截止频率”等因素对光学综合孔径望远镜成像的影响。分析和仿真结果表明：光学综合孔径通过相干成像不但可以突破传统单孔径系统的口径局限获得极高的成像分辨率，而且对于实现空间光学遥感系统轻量化和模块化都具有重要意义。     

Terahertz interferometric synthetic aperture tomography for confocal imaging systems

Terahertz (THz) interferometric synthetic aperture tomography (TISAT) for confocal imaging within extended objects is demonstrated by combining attributes of synthetic aperture radar and optical coherence tomography. Algorithms recently devised for interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy are adapted to account for the diffraction-and defocusing-induced spatially varying THz beam width characteristic of narrow depth of focus, high-resolution confocal imaging. A frequency-swept two-dimensional TISAT confocal imaging instrument rapidly achieves in-focus, diffraction-limited resolution over a depth 12 times larger than the instrument's depth of focus in a manner that may be easily extended to three dimensions and greater depths.     

一种机载合成孔径成像激光雷达聚束模式成像算法

合成孔径成像激光雷达是一种新的主动式有源的成像系统,可以获得比合成孔径雷达更高的分辨率,和更接近光学图片的效果.首先,在理想条件下分析了调频连续波的信号模型,推导出在连续波系统聚束模式下一种适用于机载合成孔径成像激光雷达系统的频率变标算法.然后,使用傅里叶变换法对符合von Karman谱的随机相位屏模拟大气湍流,并分析了Fried参量和合成孔径长度之间的关系.最后,仿真说明真空中采用方位预处理可以消除图像重影,并且补偿多普勒频移项可以消除8.6～9.3dB的能量损失和使图像散焦的现象.而在有大气影响时,合成孔径长度的选择小于Fried参量时,图像方位向可以良好聚焦.     

Near-field microscopy with a scanning nitrogen-vacancy color center in a diamond nanocrystal: A brief review

We review our recent developments of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) that uses an active tip made of a single fluorescent nanodiamond (ND) grafted onto the apex of a substrate fiber tip. The ND hosting a limited number of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers, such a tip is a scanning quantum source of light. The method for preparing the ND-based tips and their basic properties are summarized. Then we discuss theoretically the concept of spatial resolution that is achievable in this special NSOM configuration and find it to be only limited by the scan height over the imaged system, in contrast with the standard aperture-tip NSOM whose resolution depends critically on both the scan height and aperture diameter. Finally, we describe a scheme we have introduced recently for high-resolution imaging of nanoplasmonic structures with ND-based tips that is capable of approaching the ultimate resolution anticipated by theory.     

激光本振红外光谱干涉成像及其艇载天文应用展望(特邀)

本文分析了红外干涉成像现状和难点,介绍了激光本振红外相干探测的原理,阐述了基于电子学的红外光谱细分和干涉成像原理,讨论了激光本振红外阵列探测器形式.激光本振和相干探测器的设置,可保证两个望远镜的红外信号相位的正确传递,在电子学实施窄带滤波形成的窄带红外信号有利于实现长基线干涉成像.在此基础上,类似微波综合孔径射电望远镜...     

Far-field outdoor experimental demonstration of down-looking synthetic aperture ladar

A specific system structure of down-looking synthetic aperture imaging ladar(SAIL) is given, and a far-field experiment over 6 km of down-looking SAIL under this system design is carried out. The down-looking SAIL can overcome the influence of atmospheric turbulence to a great extent. By applying this system design, it also has advantages in self-compensating phase modulation. A fine image is obtained after aligning in the orthogonal direction and phase error compensation in the travel direction based on a dominant scatterer. The achieved imaging resolutions in the two dimensions are both better than 5 cm.     

Laser ultrasonic anomalous wave propagation imaging method with adjacent wave subtraction: Application to actual damages in composite wing

Laser ultrasonic wave propagation imaging methods have great potential for integrated structural health management and non-destructive evaluation. However, application of these techniques to complex structures in the field is difficult because they give rise to complicated wave propagation patterns. We developed an anomalous wave propagation imaging method with adjacent wave subtraction using laser ultrasonic scanning to solve this problem. The proposed method is suitable for non-destructive evaluation of complex structures because it highlights the propagation of anomalous waves related to structural discontinuities, and suppresses complex incident waves without the need of pre-stored reference data. In this study, the method was applied to a real composite wing subjected to bending and impact tests. The method enhanced the visibility of the anomalous waves related to damages such as stringer tip debonding, skin-spar debonding, and invisible impact damage. Based on these anomalous waves, variable time window amplitude mapping was performed to show the damage location, size, and shape resemble to the actual damage. Comparisons showed that the methods performed better than the ultrasonic A-scan in terms of damage detection and sizing accuracy. The presence of structural elements such as spars, stringers, ribs, and surface-mounted PZT elements did not adversely affect the inspection. The proposed wing test setup with a built-in ultrasonic propagation imaging system for automatic NDE could be easily expanded throughout a hanger for maintenance inspection.     

Thermal-light full-field optical coherence tomography

We have built a high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, based on a Linnik-type interference microscope, illuminated by a white-light thermal lamp. The extremely short coherence length of the illumination source and the large aperture of the objectives permit resolution close to 1 microm in three dimensions. A parallel detection scheme with a CCD camera provides cross-section (x-y) image acquisition without scanning at a rate of up to 50 Hz. To our knowledge, our system has the highest resolution demonstrated to date for OCT imaging. With identical resolution in three dimensions, realistic volume rendering of structures inside biological tissues is possible.     

Numerical study for a new methodology of flaws detection in train axles

Train loads and travel speeds have increased over time, requiring more efficient non-destructive inspection methods. Railway axles are critical elements; despite being designed to last more than 20 years several cases of premature failure have been recorded. Train axles are inspected regularly, but the limits associated to the traditional inspection technologies create a growing interest towards new solutions. Here a novel non-destructive inspection method of in-service axles based on non-contact data collection is presented. The propagation of surface waves, generated by a thermo-elastic laser source, is investigated using a finite element method based on dynamic explicit integration. Coupled thermo-mechanical simulations allow visualization of the ultrasonic field guiding the definition of the optimal NDT setup. The geometry of the axle and of the elements mounted on it is accurately reproduced; moreover the press fit effect caused by the wheel and the bearing rings is implemented. The current NDT techniques for railway axles require removing wheels and other components from the axle. The presented scheme uses non-contact ultrasonic generation and detection allowing non-contact in-service inspection of railway axles at trackside station. The numerical results are promising and encourage us to test the new approach experimentally.     

Study of terahertz interferometric imaging using optical techniques

<正>Principles of terahertz(THz) interferometric synthetic aperture imaging with heterodyne and optical techniques are presented.A THz interferometric experiment based on optical up-conversion is set up.The received THz signal is modulated into an optical carrier and transmitted in a fiber.To simulate phase differences between two THz receivers,the output of receiver is divided and a phase shifter is placed before electro-optical modulation(EOM).Interferometric spectra of these modulated optical signals are examined at different phase shifts.Otherwise,carrier suppression and phase error calibration are discussed for THz interferometric synthetic aperture imaging.     

大口径光学合成孔径成像技术发展现状

简明介绍了光学合成孔径的两种成像方式和光学波段合成孔径的发展概况。全面介绍镜面拼接、稀疏孔径和位相阵列3种合成孔径结构系统国内外发展现状。归纳出了目前光学合成孔径技术在天基和地基观测系统的发展趋势及技术难题。与传统单一口径的光学系统相比,光学合成孔径系统具有更高的分辨率、镜面加工难度低、易折叠、重量轻等特点,是实现高分辨率光学成像系统的一种重要且有效途径。