Image quality improvement in multi-mode laser ultrasound imaging using reconstructed synthetic aperture focusing technique

The synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) is used as a laser ultrasonic imaging algorithm for non-destructive internal defect testing, and multi-mode time domain SAFT (MMT-SAFT) imaging is developed to enhance the imaging capability of defect detection. However MMT-SAFT algorithm has the problem of artifacts caused by the laser ultrasound (LU) modes waves. Thus to solve this problem, an automatic imaging technique based on MMT-SAFT called Reconstructed synthetic aperture focusing technique (Re-SAFT) is proposed. This technique consists of two steps: a preliminary MMT-SAFT is firstly performed to locate the defect position tentatively and futher separate LU modes wave signals using the defect-reflected signal; then a secondary reconstructed MMT-SAFT based on the priori defect location information is achieved for artifacts removal. In addition, directivity patterns of LU modes wave have been used in Re-SAFT to achieve more accurate defect imaging in the second step. Results indicate that by using Re-SAFT, the typical artifact caused by laser ultrasonic waves can be removed and the imaging quality can be significantly improved from 19.67 to 33.85 dB. Further, the consumed time of Re-SAFT is economized by optimizing the imaging pixel size without compromising the image quality. Therefore, Re-SAFT has potential applications in industrial laser ultrasonic testing.