Abstract: A method for testing material joints or material compounds includes: (a) providing an arrangement to be tested consisting of at least two components, connected via a material joint, (b) excitation of acoustic waves in at least one component, in the provided arrangement to be tested, with laser pulses from a laser light source, (c) detecting ultrasound waves in a gaseous layer adjacent to the provided arrangement to be tested with a membrane-free optical microphone, (d) evaluating the ultrasound waves detected by determining an acoustic pressure variation of the ultrasound waves; and (e) evaluating the respective material joint based on the occurring mode conversion of a symmetrical mode with a first out-of-plane deflection into an asymmetrical mode with a second out-of-plane deflection, and/or based on acoustic standing waves at resonant frequencies in the material joint.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for detecting one or more discontinuities of a structure may include a laser emitter configured to generate and direct an ultrasonic signal into a structure and a receiver comprising an optical microphone. The optical microphone may comprise an array of optical microphones configured in a complementary manner to the emitter.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device (10) for testing a test object (40), comprising an excitation system (13) for generating broadband ultrasound pulses (12?) in the test object, a detection system (20) for detecting ultrasound waves (21), which are generated through the broadband ultrasound pulses (12?) in the test object (40) and emitted by the test object (40). The device (10) comprises a processing unit (30) for processing the detected ultrasound waves (21), while the excitation system (13) being one of a thermoacoustic emitter or a pulsed laser and the detection system (20) is a broadband detection system. The excitation system (13) comprises a modulator (11) for modulating the broadband ultrasound pulses (12?). Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for testing a test object.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for detecting one or more discontinuities of a structure may include a laser emitter configured to generate and direct an ultrasonic signal into a structure and a receiver comprising an optical microphone. The optical microphone may comprise an array of optical microphones configured in a complementary manner to the emitter.