Point-source and line-source models for the laser ultrasonic source inmaterials exhibiting transverse isotropy are applied to the specific problemof laser generation and ultrasonic propagation in unidirectional, polymermatrix composite materials. Comparing experiment and theory, it is shownthat these composite materials exhibit homogeneous behavior, at thefrequencies investigated, for ultrasonic wave propagation perpendicular tothe fiber direction. For ultrasonic propagation in the fiber direction,ultrasonic dispersion, resulting from the inhomogeneous nature of thecomposite, affects the laser ultrasonic signal.
© 1999, by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.