High resolution eddy current array probe

A method for generating inspection data about an electrically conductive material to be tested using an eddy current array probe, comprising:

• providing an eddy current array probe in interaction with said electrically conductive material, said eddy current array probe including:
• a probe body having a surface, said probe body being adapted to be displaced along a scan direction;
• a plurality of coils arranged in a linear configuration on said surface said coils being adapted to be operated in one mode among a transmit mode, an inactive mode and a receive mode at each of a plurality of time-spaced instances, at least two adjacent coils of said plurality being adapted to be operated in said inactive mode between a coil adapted to be in transmit mode and a coil adapted to be in receive mode in said linear configuration at each of said time-spaced instances;
• at least one conductor extending from said probe body;
• each coil of said plurality being connected to one of said at least one conductor and a common return path;
• retrieving a sequence of current modes for each of said time-spaced instances, for each coil of said plurality of coils, said current mode being chosen among said transmit mode, said inactive mode and said receive mode;
• triggering each coil of said plurality of coils to be operated in said mode using said sequence, said at least one conductor and a power source, at each of said time-spaced instances;
• receiving a signal from said coils in said receive mode using said at least one conductor at each of said time-spaced instances;
• storing inspection data using said signal at each of said time-spaced instances;
• displacing said eddy current array probe in a scan direction;
• repeating said steps of triggering, receiving, storing and displacing;
• wherein said sequence of current modes ensures at least two adjacent coils of said plurality are triggered to be operated in said inactive mode between a coil triggered to be operated in transmit mode and a coil triggered to be operated in receive mode in said linear configuration at each of said time-spaced instances.