Laser Ultrasonic Testing of Rail-Gun Composite Structures

We propose to perform a demonstration and develop a fieldable design of a Laser Ultrasonic Testing (LUT) inspection system for the composite materials used in an electromagnetic rail gun (EMRG). The system will be based on an innovative mid-IR laser technology used for the ultrasound-generation laser. The laser provides a considerable improvement in system sensitivity over incumbent technology, and enables a compact, EMI-resistant scan head for eventual deployment. The Phase I effort provided the feasibility study, experimental evaluation of the key critical technologies and the preliminary"paper"design for a complete LUT detection system with the required performance. These designs will be implemented in the construction and experimental demonstration of an operational LUT system in the Phase II program. The mid-IR prototype laser utilized in the Phase I would be scaled-up and packaged for the use in the Phase II effort as a driver for the high-power LUT system. The overall system concepts, considered through discussions with Navy and LaserUT TC during Phase II, will help to ensure that a future LUT system will be suited for Navy applications.