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Abstract

An apparatus for generating a focusable and scannable ultrasonic beam for e in nondestructive internal examination of an object. In one embodiment an optical mask modifies a pulsed light beam to form an optical zone pattern. The zone pattern is imaged on the surface of an optically absorbing thermoelastic layer in contact with a propagation medium. An ultrasonic beam is thereby generated which focuses at a point in an object submerged in the propagation medium. An optical lens and a mirror respectively focus and scan the modified light beam, whereby the ultrasonic beam is also focused and scanned. A second embodiment utilizes an acousto-optic modulator to modify the light beam and cause scanning and focusing of the ultrasonic beam. Suitable detectors and instrumentation may be provided to analyze the ultrasonic beam after it has traversed the object under examination.

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