Pulsed Photoacoustic Materials Characterization

Abstract

Wide bandwidth or short duration acoustic pulses may be produced by the pulsed optical irradiation of a wide range of media. The theories of pulsed photoacoustic generation are reviewed, and the acoustic source characteristics described. The resulting acoustic waveforms are discussed and their application to ftaw diagnostics, spectroscopy, and other forms of materials characterization presented. © 1986 IEEE