Numerical simulation of the ultrasonic waves generated by ring-shaped laser illumination patterns

The generation of ultrasound in aluminum plate subjected to ring-shaped laser beam illumination has been studied quantitatively by using the finite element method. The superposition effects of surface acoustic waves on the top surface and the bulk ultrasonic waves on the rear surface of specimen have been obtained in a single simulation. The typical displacement profiles of the bulk ultrasonic wave at various depths along the central axis of the ring are obtained for three different radii, and the effect of the ring radius on the focal depths of the compression and shear mode are determined. The numerical results confirm that the focal depth of a bulk acoustic mode is determined by the directivity patterns of the acoustic mode generated by point-like laser sources via a thermoelastic mechanism, which depends on the physical constants of elastic medium.