Experimental Investigation of the Pulsed Photoacoustic Effect Produced on a Solid Surface

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the characteristics of the photoacoustic signal generated from the surface of a solid material. The important characteristics considered were the dependence of the signal upon (1) the pump-laser power level, (2) the absorption coefficient and specific heat of the material, (3) the radial and axial sound distribution, and (4) the distribution of sound with laser focal characteristics. The model of peak sound pressure for the photoacoustic effect employed in this study was developed by Patel and Tam for liquids. The divergence angles of cylindrical and spherical sound waves were calculated by means of the lateral sound pressure distribution. Throughout the study the peak pressure of the photoacoustic sound pulse was measured through the use of the linear deflection of a HeNe probe beam. The results indicate that the Patel model for the peak pressure of a photoacoustic signal gives an adequate description of the dependence of the sound pressure upon radial distance and pump-laser power level. The results indicate that a cylindrical wave generated by titanium is optimum for applications to the measurement of flame temperatures. Originator-supplied keywords include: Photoacoustics, Sound Propagation, Sound Generation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA152114

Entities

People

  • Hyun Chul Yoon

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Coefficients
  • Acoustic Propagation
  • Acoustic Signals
  • Acoustic Waves
  • Frequency
  • Helium Neon Lasers
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Pulses
  • Lasers
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Power Levels
  • Radiation
  • Sound Waves
  • Specific Heat
  • Yag Lasers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Acoustics.
  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers