The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting defects in a
manufactured object. These defects may include flaws, delaminations,
voids, fractures, fissures, or cracks, among others. The system utilizes
an ultrasound measurement system, a signal analyzer and an expected
result. The signal analyzer compares the signal from the measurement
system to the expected result. The analysis may detect a defect or measure
an attribute of the manufactured object. Further, the analysis may be
displayed or represented. In addition, the expected result may be
generated from a model such as a wave propagation model. One embodiment of
the invention is a laser ultrasound detection system in which a laser is
used to generate an ultrasonic signal. The signal analyzer compares the
measured ultrasonic signal to an expected result. This expected result is
generated from a wave propagation model. The analysis is then displayed on
a monitor.
