Calculation and measurement of the ultrasonic signals generated by ablating material with a Q-switched pulse laser

Ultrasound generated by ablation of materials with laser irradiation can be used to test components. The source of the ultrasound is the gas pressure exerted on the target by the evaporated material. We present calculations of the efficiency η, taking into account the formation of the plasma. The time dependence of the pressure at the target surface is used as input for the signals emanating from an ensemble of point sources. In addition, experimental results are presented and compared with the theoretical calculations.