Phased Array

Phased array (PA) ultrasonics is an advanced method of ultrasonic testing that has applications in medical imaging and industrial nondestructive testing. Common applications are to examine the heart noninvasively or to find flaws in manufactured materials such as welds. Single-element (non phased array) probes-known technically as monolithic probes-emit a beam in a fixed direction. To test or interrogate a large volume of material, a conventional probe must generally be physically turned or moved to sweep the beam through the area of interest. In contrast the beam from a phased array probe can be moved electronically, without moving the probe, and can be swept through a wide volume of material at high speed.