Method and apparatus for non-destructively determining features in a planar specimen
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorAnthony A. Ruffa
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for non-destructively determining features in a planer specimen includes providing a heat impulse to the specimen, detecting temperatures in the specimen at a plurality of locations, and imaging the specimen from the detected temperatures. A laser can be used to provide a single or a plurality of heat impulses to the specimen. Temperatures in the specimen can be detected utilizing a contact sensor array or a remote infrared detector. These sensors are joined to a data processing device to image the specimen utilizing the detected temperatures.
Claims15
A method for non-destructively determining features embedded in a planar specimen comprising the steps of:
- propagating at least one heat wave onto an exposed surface of the specimen whereby the heat wave travels through the specimen;
- measuring temperatures at an opposite surface of the specimen after propagation of said at least one heat wave;
- and
- utilizing said measured temperatures in a data processing device to image the specimen to determine internal features of the specimen.
A device for non-destructively imaging features in a planar specimen comprising:
- a laser positioned to provide light to heat a region on an exposed surface of the specimen;
- a means for measuring temperatures at a plurality of locations on an opposite surface of the specimen;
- and
- a data processing system joined to the means for measuring temperatures for receiving temperatures and providing an image of the internal structure of the specimen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.