Speckle interferometry, fibre optic sensors and laser induced ultrasounds as solutions to industrial demands

Industrial operators have been taking interest in optical diagnostics through years. Optical methods are mainly well appreciated for their attitude to be used as non-contact and non-invasive techniques. The paper presents three examples of applications carried-out by researchers of Centro Elettrotecnico Sperimentale Italiano (CESI) in collaboration with people working in industrial fields. The first part shows the applications of speckle interferometry to measure residual stresses in association with the traditional blind-hole drilling, while the second part presents the installation of fibre optic sensors in a power plant for monitoring possible overheating to avoid fires and finally the last presentation outlines a particular application in the field of laser generated ultrasounds that is the monitoring of the variation of ultrasonic speed propagation due to residual stresses.