Surface Crack Detection with Low-cost Photoacoustic Imaging System

Photoacoustic measurement in an imaging system is a unique method as it uses optical disturbance but observes its effect acoustically. Acoustical observation increases the quality of a measurement by reducing the scattering effect that often occurs in optical research. However, a few problems, such as cost and complexity, hinder development of a photoacoustic system. This report presents a design of a photoacoustic system using a laser diode and a commercial microphone as the acoustic emission source and sensor, respectively. Analysis of the photoacoustic signal received by the microphone was performed with software-based Fourier transformation, which makes the photoacoustic system simpler and lower in cost. By measuring the amplitude of the signal, the system accurately detects surface micrometer cracks. The report shows that the system is capable of producing a photoacoustic image of an object with micro-cracks on its surface. The results indicate that the photoacoustic imaging system developed in the experiment is a more promising way to generate images of cracks than optical imaging

Cracks; Imaging system; Laser diode; Photoacoustic

It is shown that the photoacoustic system designed in this experiment is able to create an image of a micro-crack on the surface of a material. Using simple devices, a laser diode and a commercial microphone can generate strong photoacoustic signals for data recording. Software has the potential to replace a lock-in amplifier for identifying signal peaks, making the system simpler and cheaper. The experiment resulted in a photoacoustic image with high contrast, clearly showing the crack. It is concluded that the surface of the material has a dominant effect on laser–material interaction compared to electronic factors. Thus, it is possible to use a photoacoustic system to learn about the surface of a material. 

This work was supported by Research Program of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Republic of Indonesia.

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