The invention is directed to a wave characteristic adjusting device used
to compensate for a wave characteristic distortion caused by the scanning
motion of a probe beam of a two-wave mixing interferometer. The invention
is also directed to an apparatus and method for using the wave
characteristic adjusting device in a rapid scanning laser ultrasound
testing device. In a rapid scanning laser ultrasound testing device, a
laser pulse is directed at periodic points along a path across the
surface of a manufactured object. The laser pulse initiates an ultrasonic
signal associated with the manufactured object. An interferometer may be
used to measure the initiated ultrasonic signal. The interferometer scans
a probe beam along a path similar to the sonic initiating laser. A pulse
of the probe beam is directed at the manufactured object in the vicinity
of the initiating laser pulse while continuously scanning. As a result,
the probe beam pulse may exhibit a Doppler shift. This Doppler shift may
cause a loss in sensitivity of the two-wave mixing interferometer. The
wave characteristic adjusting device may be used to compensate for the
Doppler shift, thereby improving the sensitivity of the two-wave mixing
interferometer.