Photothermal imaging of foreign object defects in curved orthotropic composite samples

In this research work, photothermal reconstruction for imagingforeign object defects in curved orthotropic composite samples isdemonstrated using the virtual wave concept. For this purpose, thevirtual wave concept is extended for defect reconstruction in ortho-tropic samples with a surface curvature in one direction.Furthermore, it is discussed how the multidirectional heat flowsdue to the complex-shaped geometry influences the propagationof the virtual wave. For verification, photothermal experiments withsingle-pulse flash lamp excitation in the pulse-echo configurationare performed. In summary, this study underlines the capability ofthe reconstruction scheme for imaging defects in strongly curvedcomposite components.