Super resolution

Super-resolution consists in improvement resolution of standard imaging systems

Beyond physics

Ultrasonic imaging using phased array or total focusing method (TFM) techniques is used in many industrial applications in nuclear, aeronautics, power generation, oil and gas, etc. When looking for small flaws, or needing to discriminate multiple flaws that are closely spaced, these techniques are limited by physics and the resolution is therefore insufficient. In collaboration with high level academic partners, The Phased Array Company’sR&D team has developed super-resolution imaging techniques that can dramatically enhance the resolution of standard ultrasonic imaging and separate closely spaced flaws or small flaws close to a geometric structure.

In this example, a probe with 64 elements with a frequency of 5MHz is placed in contact with a stainless steel sample containing two close side- drilled holes (SDH) separated by only 0.4mm. This very complicated case reveals the physics-based limitations of TFM, as only a single spot is shown and the technique is not able to separate the two flaws. With the new technique super-resolution developed by TPAC, the two close flaws are successfully separated and clearly visible! This technique can achieve this precise imaging with high speed thanks to our comprehensive R&D efforts. It can be used for high level flaw characterization such as porosities, inclusions, discriminating flaws from some geometry (close to a corner, surface, backwall, …) etc… when other imaging techniques have reached their limits.