Optimization of Ultrasonic Phased Arrays

Abstract

Ultrasonic phased arrays are an emerging technology in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) applications. A phased array is a multi-element piezo-electric device whose elements are individually excited by electric pulses at programmed delay times [1]. Such a delay scheme allows electronically controlled dynamic beam control. One of the advantages of using phased arrays in NDE applications over conventional ultrasonic transducers is their great maneuverability of the ultrasonic beam, i.e., dynamic beam steering and focusing. This way, target materials can be rapidly inspected by electronically sweeping the sound beam in the area of interest without requiring mechanical or manual scanning.