THz Technology in Nondestructive Evaluation

Abstract

The Nondestructive Evaluation and Testing, in short NDE, discipline includes technologies and methods with the goal to examine objects and materials (samples) without impairing their future use. For example, ultrasounds and X-rays have been used in NDT applications for a long time such as material inspection, medical diagnostics, manufacturing, and quality control. On the other hand, in destructive testing, the sample is damaged during testing process. The destructive testing could be an extreme testing, where the selected samples are tested up to a failure point, then, the behavior of similar samples is statistically extrapolated. Or it can be a nonextreme test, where the sample is dissembled for a better investigation. Examples of destructive testing are found in mechanical elasticity and stress, heat insulation, and corrosion resistance measurements. NDE involves mechanical, optical, or chemical analysis, by use of ultrasonic waves, thermal waves, and electromagnetic waves. The results of applying NDE have a very broad impact on many fields, such as helping the aeronautics industry to ensure the integrity and reliability, and supporting cancer research by finding tumors The implementation of NDE techniques must include, at least, the following components