Abstract: In an apparatus for receiving ultrasonic waves by optical means a laser beam illuminates a workpiece surface at which ultrasonic waves are manifest in the form of cyclically occurring surface deformations. The reflected light is transmitted to an optical interferometer as a measuring light beam and the beam exiting from the interferometer is converted to an electrical signal and amplified to provide a measuring beam responsive electrical signal. A portion of the laser beam immediately before being incident on the workpiece surface is also passed through the interferometer as a comparison beam. The exiting comparison beam light is converted to an electrical signal, amplified and time delayed to provide a comparison beam responsive electrical signal. By means of a subtracting circuit the comparison beam responsive electrical signal is subtracted from the measuring beam responsive electrical signal to provide a difference signal which is evaluated.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the acoustic energy responsive deformation of a workpiece surface by optical means, that is without physical contact with the workpiece surface, comprises the use of a laser light beam illuminating the workpiece surface portion along which the acoustic energy responsive deformation is manifest. The laser light incident upon the workpiece surface is reflected at the workpiece surface and, modulated responsive to the surface deflection, is transmitted to an optical phase interferometer and to a photoelectric means associated therewith. The output from the photoelectric means is transmitted to an evaluation unit. The improvement shown in this invention concerns means for maintaining the reflected light intensity at a predetermined level by comparing the reflected light intensity with a preset level and feeding a control signal to a light control means controlling the laser light intensity incident upon the workpiece surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the adjustment of coincidence and relative phase relationship of light beams in an optical interferometer comprises the passing of a measuring light beam and of a control beam through substantially the same paths of the interferometer. Any change in optical alignment of interferometer components from a set condition is manifest as a change of the electrical signal produced by photoelectric sensing means which receive the control beam. The change of the electrical signal is processed by an electrical circuit and fed to one or more positioning means supporting an optical component of the interferometer for causing a repositioning of such component to thereby restore the set condition. In a typical embodiment, the component is a reflective surface mounted on a set of piezoelectric positioning means.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping a laser by a source of light comprises a movable housing having a plurality of cavities each containing a respective light source for pumping the laser and a laser contained in a cavity of a stationary housing. The cavity of the stationary housing forms with a respective complementary cavity of the movable housing a cylindrical pumping chamber. Responsive to the failure of a lamp, the movable housing is indexed to bring a new lamp into operative relation with the laser.

Abstract: Focussed acoustic waves are generated free of physical contact in a light absorbing workpiece by the use of laser beam means providing a coherent light beam which in a pulsed manner impinges upon the surface of the workpiece in a Fresnel zone pattern. The zoned pattern is caused in a typical example by a suitable mask interposed between the laser source and workpiece surface. The thermal effect responsive to the laser beam energy produces in the workpiece a plurality of acoustic waves having a common focal point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing on the surface of a workpiece free of contact with a source of energy a pulse shaped ultrasonic shock wave comprise the use of laser means. A plurality of strip-shaped equidistantly spaced surface portions of the workpiece are pulsed with coherent light from the laser means in time delayed sequence. The angle of propagation of the ultrasonic wave is determined by the center-to-center distance between the strip-shaped surface portions illuminated with coherent light, the time delay between the light pulses and the velocity of propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the workpiece.

Abstract: For sensing the presence of an ultrasonic wave propagated within a workpiece at the surface of such workpiece, the workpiece surface is illuminated with a laser beam and opto-electric means, such as an interferometer, are used to sense the minute workpiece surface deformation caused by the ultrasonic wave front. In order to sense the ultrasonic waves which are incident upon the workpiece surface at an oblique angle, the workpiece surface is illuminated in a pattern of equidistantly spaced strips. The spacing of the strips is determined by the angle of the ultrasonic wave and the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave. The resulting electrical signals are processed simultaneously or in sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing on the surface of a workpiece an ultrasonic pulse wave without physical contact comprise the use of a laser beam illuminating a small, striplike, portion of the workpiece surface and such portion being moved with uniform motion along a linear axis over a predetermined distance. The angle of propagation of the resulting ultrasonic wave is a function of the propagation velocity of sound in the workpiece and the velocity of the illuminated portion along the linear axis.

Abstract: In contact-free testing a workpiece by ultrasonic energy an interferometric method and apparatus is used to sense acoustic energy by determining the deformation of a workpiece surface while such workpiece is undergoing acoustic exploration. The surface of the workpiece is illuminated by a laser beam which is reflected thereat and reaches an optical beam splitter to produce a measuring beam portion and a reference beam portion. The measuring beam portion after reflection at a mirror is transmitted to photoelectric means, while the reference beam portion is time delayed via an optical delay path and then brought to interfere with the measuring beam portion at the photoelectric means.