Non-destructive imaging using the time domain topological energy method.

The time domain topological gradient has recently been presented as a promising technique for imaging of complex structures [N. Dominguez, et al., Wave Motion 42 (1) (2005) 31-52], showing results obtained on simulated data. The method relies on the adequate combination of two computed ultrasonic fields, one forward and one adjoint. The adjoint field, that carries the information about the defects, is analogous to a time reversal operation. The forward field plays the role of a "photographic developer". The great interest of the method is that the time reversal operation is not done experimentally but numerically, allowing implementation of low cost systems. The expected low sensitivity of the method to the presence of measurement or structure noise had been discussed in a former work. This paper shows results obtained on experimental data in the context of non-destructive testing, showing the efficiency of the method even in complex configuration such that composite material testing.