Elasto-optic technique for measurement of elastic wave propagation in solids

The modulation of the optical path of the beam of a laser vibrometer in a specimen under acoustic excitation is measured at two planes, separated by a precisely known distance. The phase shift and the decrease in magnitude are used to calculate the phase velocity and attenuation, respectively. The method is demonstrated for a homogeneous specimen, and the results compare favorably with those obtained by a conventional ultrasonic technique. The method is then applied to measure specular and first diffraction-order reflection from a coplanar periodic array of particles in an elastic matrix and phase velocity spectra in a tetragonal periodic particulate composite. As expected, in a periodic composite the establishment of dispersive Floquet-type waves is observed throughout the entire periodic particulate composite.