Method and system for inspection of composite assemblies using terahertz radiation

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for non-destructive, contact or non-contact inspection of composite assemblies using radiation having a frequency in the terahertz range (10 GHz-10 THz) of the spectrum, whereby said method is implemented as an embodiment of the system for non-destructive, contact or non-contact inspection of composite assemblies using terahertz radiation, that is also claimed under the present invention. Said method enables the forming of a two or three-dimensional image of the material structure of an assembly of composite materials, from which image detection and analysis of material conditions of the composite materials forming said composite assemblies is possible, irrespective of the way that the composite materials forming said composite assemblies were joined together, and without the need for a priori knowledge about the structural characteristics, shape or configuration of said composite materials (for instance layered, foam, placed on metal substrate).

主权项

1. A method for non-destructive, contact or non-contact inspection of a composite assembly using radiation having a frequency in the so-called “terahertz range” (10 GHz-10 THz) of the spectrum, the composite assembly comprising composite materials joined together, whereby at least one of the composite materials in the assembly is, at least, partially transparent for said terahertz radiation, said method being characterised in that the method enables the forming of a two or three-dimensional image of the material structure of a said assembly of composite materials, from which detection and analysis of material conditions of the composite materials forming said composite assemblies is possible, irrespective of the way that the composite materials forming said composite assemblies were joined together, and without the need for a priori knowledge about the structure, shape or configuration of said composite materials,
the method comprising the following steps: illuminating a composite assembly that is to be inspected with radiation from the so-called terahertz frequency range from the spectrum, being the range 10 GHz to 10 THz between microwave and infrared; detecting the radiation reflected by and/or transmitted through the said composite assembly and record spatially resolved reflection and/or transmission responses; and automating construction and presentation of a two or three-dimensional THz image from the said spatially resolved reflection and/or transmission responses, and presenting said image in a way that enables detection and analysis of specific material conditions of the composite materials forming the assembly, wherein the illuminating and detecting are performed by a single port quasi-optical VNA configured as a Michelson reflectometer.