Modeling of laser thermoelastic generation of ultrasound in an orthotropic medium

We present a numerical model that calculates the surface displacements generated by the absorption of a laser pulse by an orthotropic medium. This model solves the heat and acoustic wave equations using temporal Laplace and spatial two-dimensional Fourier transformations. This model allows us to calculate the normal and in-plane displacements on the front or back surface of an orthotropic plate over a complete area and for virtually any time and beam profiles of the laser excitation. Numerical simulations are compared to experimental results obtained on an aluminum sample and on a graphite-epoxy plate. The experimental and numerical results are in good agreement.