Laser ultrasonic inspection of the microstructural state of thin metal foils

A laser-based ultrasonic technique suitable for characterization of the microstructural state of metal foils is presented. The technique relies on the measurement of the intrinsic attenuation of laser-generated longitudinal waves at frequencies reaching 1 GHz resulting from ultrasonic interaction with the sample microstructure. In order to facilitate accurate measurement of the attenuation, a theoretical model-based signal analysis approach is used. The signal analysis approach isolates aspects of the measured attenuation that depend strictly on the microstructure from geometrical effects. Experimental results obtained in commercially cold worked tungsten foils show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the longitudinal wave attenuation at gigahertz frequencies is strongly influenced by the dislocation content of the foils and may find potential application in the characterization of the microstructure of micron thick metal foils.