Title: Phase Coherence Imaging: Principles, Applications, and Prototype Developments
Speaker: Prof. Pierre Bélanger
Département de génie mécanique, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec
Date & Time: January 27, 2026, 17:00–
Venue: Lecture Room 5-202, Building No. 5, Faculty of Science
Abstract:
This presentation will begin with an overview of École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and the Piezoelectric and Ultrasonic Laboratory (PULETS), led by Prof. Pierre Bélanger, highlighting its strong industry collaborations and current research activities. The talk will then dive deeper into ultrasonic Phase Coherence Imaging (PCI), its integration with phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), and its evolution from traditional amplitude-based imaging methods such as Total Focusing Method (TFM) and Time-of-Flight Diffraction (ToFD). PCI leverages phase information rather than amplitude to characterize and size defects, offering advantages such as improved robustness for diffractive reflectors, simplified hardware requirements, and enhanced statistical frameworks for multi-view data merging. Experimental results demonstrate PCI’s capability to isolate crack tips and provide sizing comparable to ToFD, while reducing setup complexity. Additionally, recent developments in prototype instruments using single-bit digitization and AI-driven approaches for amplitude recovery will be presented. These innovations highlight PCI’s potential to lower costs and expand accessibility for ultrasonic non-destructive testing in industrial applications.