Tecnar's laser-ultrasonics components
Build your laser-ultrasonic system to your needs with Tecnar’s components.
Building blocks of complete laser UT system:
Our experts are here to help you design the best laser UT system for your needs.
Follow these steps to quickly review what you need or may already have.
1. Laser UT receiver
Extracts the ultrasonic information from the collected laser light
2. Detection laser
Carries the ultrasonic information from the sample to the detection unit
3. Optical probe
Delivers and collects the laser light from the target
4. Generation laser
Generates the ultrasonic probing pulse
5. Software and digitizer
Acquires and processes the ultrasonic information
6. Option — Scanner unit
Two-axis scanning unit for ultrasonic imaging of test sample
Step 1
Laser UT receiver
The receiver is at the heart of all laser-ultrasonic systems, extracting ultrasonic information from the collected laser light.
TWM - Two Wave Mixing photo-refractive receiver
Fast response detection unit based on two waves mixing in a GaAs photorefractive crystal:
- Ultrasonic detection bandwidth of 1.0 to 40 MHz (option for other bandwidths)
- Internal detector for monitoring light collected
- Light signal input via optical fibre connectors
- Trigger delay system:
- Electronic triggering system (TTL output) for synchronizing external equipment, such as a data acquisition unit, a pulsed laser for non-contact generation of ultrasound, and others
- Computer interface via Ethernet connection for set-up of trigger delays
- Robust rack-mount casing
- Maintenance and alignment free.
Step 2
Detection laser
The detection laser records the information from the sample surface motion and carries it to the receiver. It’s important to choose the correct amount of laser output power to ensure it matches the application’s requirements, such as:
- Working at a distance
- Surface reflectivity
- Surface motion
PDL – Pulsed Detection Laser
Tecnar is the world leader in industrial laser ultrasonics for one solid reason: the PDL, our proprietary, high-power, pulsed-detection laser. To this day, the PDL is the only laser of its kind in the world.
The PDL is a high-power laser-ultrasonic detection laser unit based on the long-pulsed amplification of a frequency-stabilized Nd:YAG seed laser, specially designed for laser-ultrasonic applications on rough surfaces:
- Firing rate up to 100 Hz
- Peak power > 500W
- Pulse width > 80µs
- Optical wavelength 1064 nm
- Beam delivery via optical fibres
- Industrial grade enclosure IP54.
CW laser – Frequency stabilized continuous wave laser
Medium detection laser unit based on a continuous wave (CW) frequency-stabilized Nd: YAG laser.
For use on prepared surface samples:
- Peak power > 3 W
- Linewidth < 1 MHz
- Optical wavelength: 1064 nm
- Beam delivery via optical fibres
- Robust rack-mount casing.
Step 3
Optical probe
Flexible optical system for easy beam delivery and beam collection using large core optical fibres with a simple connection to the detection unit.
LAB – Laboratory research probe
Laboratory grade optical probe for delivering detection laser beam and collecting backscattered light:
- Optical system optimized for a wavelength of 1064nm
- Three nominal working distances and spot sizes:
- 0.75 mm spot size at 65 mm distance
- 1 mm spot size at 80 mm distance
- 2 mm spot size at 180 mm distance
- Working distance changed by simply swapping the focusing lens from the probe
- Robust flexible metallic conduit linking probe to detection unit.
HEP – Harsh Environment Probe
Robust optical probe for delivering detection laser beams and collecting backscattered light:
- Optical system optimized for a wavelength of 1064 nm
- Working distance 180 mm with spot size 2 mm
- Sealed casing for use in harsh and dirty environments
- Robust flexible metallic conduit linking probe to detection unit
- Easy to mount on a robotic arm
- Easily upgradable to HEPg.
HEPg – All-in-one Harsh Environment Probe
- Generation laser housing optimized for Quantel Laser’s CFR, Ultra and Viron models
- Standard model: wavelength – 523 nm, pulse width – <10 nsec, energy per pulse >50 mJ at 50Hz
- Customization to other laser models or brands available upon request
- Generation laser optical system optimized for a wavelength of 532 nm, other wavelength available upon request
- Detection optical system optimized for a wavelength of 1064 nm
- Working distance 180 mm with spot size 2 mm
- Sealed casing for use in harsh and dirty environments
- Robust flexible metallic conduit linking probe to detection unit
- Easy to mount on a robotic arm
- Optional purged and cooled front end for high temperatures or harsh working atmosphere conditions.
Step 4
Generation laser
The generation laser is the hammer that generates the ultrasonic probing pulse. The stronger the laser, the better the information.
Marathon – Generation laser
The Marathon™ is a diode-based, high-power, q-switched laser that delivers a fast firing rate with unmatched reliability. This proprietary Tecnar product was specifically designed for use in harsh and difficult environments. Based on diodes rather than flash lamp technology, the Marathon doesn’t require periodic maintenance. From start to finish, the Marathon truly goes the distance for years of trouble-free operation in all kinds of environments.
- Firing rate 100 Hz
- Power per pulse 300 mJ
- Optical wavelength 1064 nm
- Pulse width >8 ns
- Diode lifespan >6 billion shots
Generation laser add-on for HEP
Sealed and industrial grade enclosure for generation laser adapted for quick attachment to HEP
- Housing optimized for Quantel Laser’s CFR, Ultra and Viron models
- Standard model: wavelength – 523 nm, pulse width – <10 nsec, energy per pulse >50 mJ at 50Hz
- Customization to other laser models or brands available upon request
- Optical system optimized for a wavelength of 532 nm, other wavelength available upon request
- Sealed casing for use in harsh and dirty environments.
Step 5
Software and digitizer
PC-based data acquisition and processing package
The hardware module of this package consists of a PC board digitizer with a sampling rate of 125 Msamples/sec., 14 bits ADC and 60 MHz bandwidth.
The software module of this package consists of a proprietary application that enables quick, easy setting of the digitizer board, real-time view of acquired waveform and storage in an easy-to-access file format.
Optional
Scanner unit
Scanner unit
Tecnar offers an optional scanning unit for the laser-ultrasonic imaging of small-sized defects. The motorized scanning unit provides two-axis scanning over a range of 100 mm x 100 mm. The scanning unit is mounted on a breadboard and supplied with a support for Tecnar’s laser UT probes.
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