Abstract: A method facilitates inspection of a component surface. The method comprises positioning a surface of the component to be inspected in an optical path of at least one infrared radiation detector, heating the component surface using electromagnetic radiation to cause an increase in radiance from a defect present at the component surface, and detecting temperature variations within the component surface using the at least one infrared radiation detector, such that the surface irradiance is measured at predetermined locations across the component surface. The method further comprises detecting cracks in the component by analyzing radiation transient response data received by the infrared radiation detector, and correlating the temperature variations to the radiation transient response data to determine a depth of the detected cracks.

Abstract: A method facilitates inspection of a component surface. The method comprises positioning a surface of the component to be inspected in an optical path of at least one infrared radiation detector, heating the component surface using electromagnetic radiation to cause an increase in radiance from a defect present at the component surface, and detecting temperature variations within the component surface using the at least one infrared radiation detector, such that the surface irradiance is measured at predetermined locations across the component surface. The method further comprises detecting cracks in the component by analyzing radiation transient response data received by the infrared radiation detector, and correlating the temperature variations to the radiation transient response data to determine a depth of the detected cracks.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a desired acoustic frequency content in a laser-generated ultrasonic wave emitted from a target in response to a laser pulse. The method includes generating a generation laser pulse using a laser source. An optimal wavelength &lgr;0 for the generation laser pulse is determined using a computer. The optimal wavelength data is determined from material-specific, empirically calculated data stored in a storage device that is accessible to the computer. An optimal laser pulse is generated by shifting the generation laser pulse to the optimal wavelength &lgr;0. The optimal laser pulse is directed to the target to generate the laser-generated ultrasonic wave with the desired frequency content.

Abstract: The invention employs a reverse biased zener diode in the output circuit of a single stage or multistage electron multiplier. In a multistage device, a bypass resistor is employed between stages for increasing the bias current in downstream stages which operates at reduced potential whereby power dissipation is minimized.

Abstract: A low noise ion detector has reflective parts coated for absorbing stray photon and neutral particles.