Progress in phase angle thermography

Abstract

Phase angle thermography is basically spatially multiplexed photothermal radiometry. It provides images for remote detection and imaging of damage. For energy deposition one can use external heat sources (e.g., light or convective heating) or internal heat generation (e.g., electric current, microwaves, eddy current, or elastic wave). More complete information about defects is obtained by combining information from external and internal heating methods: Effects of intact thermal structure can be distinguished from defect specific thermal signatures. Our recent results relate to multifrequency excitation allowing for depth profiling from one lock-in-thermography measurement and, additionally, to modulated ultrasound frequency burst phase angle thermography where effects of standing elastic waves are eliminated. This way the applications for nondestructive evaluation become more reliable and faster.