Photoacoustic techniques for non-destructive testing and evaluation: a comprehensive review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37636/recit.v9n3e473Keywords:
Internal defects, Photoacoustic, Non-destructive testingAbstract
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is critical for industrial safety, yet traditional methods face limitations regarding coupling requirements and complex materials. This work presents a systematic review of photoacoustic technology as an advanced alternative, combining optical penetration with ultrasonic advantages to enable non-contact, high-resolution inspections. The study analyzes its successful application across metals, batteries and semiconductors for multiscale defect detection. Results confirm that photoacoustics is a consolidated tool that promises to evolve from simple defect detection to predictive lifespan analysis in advanced manufacturing. This review was conducted through a structured bibliographic search in Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore, covering English-language publications from 2020 onward, with selection criteria focused on photoacoustic techniques applied specifically to engineering and industrial NDT/E, excluding biomedical in vivo studies
Downloads
References
[1] B. Riveiro and M. Solla, Non-destructive techniques for the evaluation of structures and infrastructure, vol. 11. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press, 2016.
[2] S. K. Dwivedi, M. Vishwakarma, and A. Soni, “Advances and Researches on Non Destructive Testing: A Review,” Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 5, no. 2, pt. 1, pp. 3690–3698, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.620.
[3] V. Vasagar, M. K. Hassan, A. M. Abdullah, et al., “Non-destructive techniques for corrosion detection: A review,” Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology: The International Journal of Corrosion Processes and Corrosion Control, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 56–85, 2024, doi: 10.1177/1478422X241229621.
[4] C. Mandache, “Overview of non-destructive evaluation techniques for metal-based additive manufacturing,” Materials Science and Technology, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 1007–1015, 2019, doi: 10.1080/02670836.2019.1596370.
[5] J. García-Martín, J. Gómez-Gil, and E. Vázquez-Sánchez, “Non-Destructive Techniques Based on Eddy Current Testing,” Sensors, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 2525–2565, 2011, doi: 10.3390/s110302525.
[6] M. Gupta, M. A. Khan, R. Butola, and R. M. Singari, “Advances in applications of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): A review,” Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 2286–2307, 2022, doi: 10.1080/2374068X.2021.1909332.
[7] C. C. Roshan, C. Raghul, H. V. Ram, K. Suraj, and J. Solomon, “Non-destructive testing by liquid penetrant testing and ultrasonic testing—A review,” Int. J. Adv. Res. Ideas Innov. Technol., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 694–697, 2019.
[8] H. G. Tattersall, “The ultrasonic pulse-echo technique as applied to adhesion testing,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, vol. 6, no. 7, p. 819, May 1973, doi: 10.1088/0022-3727/6/7/305.
[9] S. A. Titov, R. G. Maev, and A. N. Bogachenkov, “Pulse-echo NDT of adhesively bonded joints in automotive assemblies,” Ultrasonics, vol. 48, nos. 6–7, pp. 537–546, 2008, doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2008.07.001.
[10] A. Lopez, R. Bacelar, I. Pires, T. G. Santos, J. P. Sousa, and L. Quintino, “Non-destructive testing application of radiography and ultrasound for wire and arc additive manufacturing,” Additive Manufacturing, vol. 21, pp. 298–306, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.addma.2018.03.020.
[11] P. A. Howell, Ed., Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Methods and Capabilities Handbook (NASA/TM–2020-220568/Volume I). NASA Langley Research Center, 2020.
[12] A. G. Bell, “On the production and reproduction of sound by light,” American Journal of Science, vol. s3-20, no. 118, pp. 305–324, 1880.
[13] L. F. Derramadero-Domínguez, F. J. Escamilla-Herrera, O. M. García-Rodríguez, F. J. Medina-Cázares, F. J. Muñoz-Barbosa, and G. Gutiérrez-Juárez, “Laser‑induced ultrasound: Consequences of Maxwell–Cattaneo–Vernotte 1D heat flux model,” MRS Advances, 2025, doi: 10.1557/s43580-025-01128-8.
[14] E. Royer and E. Dieulesaint, “Analysis of thermal generation of Rayleigh waves,” Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 56, no. 9, pp. 2507–2511, 1984, doi: 10.1063/1.334314.
[15] R. Zhang, X. Zhao, J. Li, D. Zhou, H. Guo, Z.-Y. Li, and F. Li, “Programmable photoacoustic patterning of microparticles in air,” Nature Communications, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 3250, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47631-8.
[16] L. Xie, Y. Lian, F. Du, Y. Wang, and Z. Lu, “Optical methods of laser ultrasonic testing technology in the industrial and engineering applications: A review,” Optics & Laser Technology, vol. 176, p. 110876, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2024.110876.
[17] D. Ren, Y. Sun, J. Shi, and R. Chen, “A Review of Transparent Sensors for Photoacoustic Imaging Applications,” Photonics, vol. 8, no. 8, p. 324, 2021, doi: 10.3390/photonics8080324.
[18] J. M. Escamilla-Herrera, L. F. Derramadero-Domínguez, O. M. Medina-Cázares, J. E. Alba-Rosales, F. J. García-Rodríguez, and G. Gutiérrez-Juárez, “On the dual-phase-lag thermal response in the pulsed photoacoustic effect: A theoretical and experimental 1D approach,” Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 136, no. 17, p. 175105, 2024, doi: 10.1063/5.0226434.
[19] M. Xu and L. V. Wang, “Photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine,” Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 77, no. 4, p. 041101, Apr. 2006, doi: 10.1063/1.2195024.
[20] G. Ruiz-Veloz, R. I. Martínez-Ponce, R. Fernández-Ayala, R. Castro-Beltrán, L. Polo-Parada, B. Reyes-Ramírez, and G. Gutiérrez-Juárez, “Thermally corrected solutions of the one-dimensional wave equation for the laser-induced ultrasound,” Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 130, no. 2, p. 025104, Jul. 2021, doi: 10.1063/5.0050895.
[21] R. Gao, Y. Liu, S. Qi, L. Song, J. Meng, and C. Liu, “Influence mechanism of the temporal duration of laser irradiation on photoacoustic technique: a review,” Journal of Biomedical Optics, vol. 29, no. S1, pp. S11530–S11530, 2024, doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.29.S1.S11530.
[22] J. Krautkrämer and H. Krautkrämer, Ultrasonic Testing of Materials, 4th ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1990.
[23] M. Fang, X. Jing, S. Gao, J. Zhao, and T. Zhang, “Combining Windowed Enveloping and the Delay and Sum Algorithm for Photoacoustic Image Reconstruction,” Applied Sciences, vol. 15, no. 9, p. 4877, 2025, doi: 10.3390/app15094877.
[24] B. D. Van Veen and K. M. Buckley, “Beamforming: A versatile approach to spatial filtering,” IEEE ASSP Magazine, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 4–24, 1988.
[25] A. Thomas, S. Paul, J. Mitra, and M. S. Singh, “Enhancement of Photoacoustic Signal Strength with Continuous Wave Optical Pre-Illumination: A Non-Invasive Technique,” Sensors, vol. 21, no. 4, p. 1190, 2021, doi: 10.3390/s21041190.
[26] H. O. Durmuş, C. Birlikseven, B. Karaböce, and M. Seyitsoy, “Investigation of photoacoustic effect on different materials,” in Proc. 2022 Medical Technologies Congress (TIPTEKNO), Oct. 2022, pp. 1–4, IEEE.
[27] Y.-M. Guo, Z. Liu, Y. Liang, X. Yin, and B. Ma, “Ppm-level photoacoustic oxygen gas sensor with a 3W red diode laser,” Opt. Express, vol. 34, pp. 7895–7903, 2026.
[28] D. Vangi, M. S. Gulino, and A. Virga, “Optimal Rayleigh Waves Generation by Continuous Wave Modulated Laser,” J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., vol. 1110, p. 012006, 2018, doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/1110/1/012006.
[29] D. Vangi, L. Banelli, and M.-S. Gulino, “Interference-based amplification for CW laser-induced photoacoustic signals,” Ultrasonics, vol. 110, p. 106270, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2020.106270.
[30] X. Yan, S. Song, and H. Jin, “All-optical photoacoustic tomography via beam deflection,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, vol. 59, no. 3, p. 035401, 2026.
[31] V. T. Nguyen, C. Taboada, J. Delia, T. Vu, L. Menozzi, S. W. Cho, et al., “Dual-channel high-speed functional photoacoustic microscopy with ultra-wide field of view,” Light: Science & Applications, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 91, 2026.
[32] M. Rojas-Romero, O. Medina-Cázares, F. J. García-Rodríguez, A. González-Vega, G. Martínez-Ponce, and G. Gutiérrez-Juárez, “Accurate internal cavities and kissing bond sizing in metal plates by using the time-of-flight of laser-induced ultrasound waves,” Applied Optics, vol. 63, no. 13, pp. 3641–3647, May 2024, doi: 10.1364/AO.519588.
[33] L. V. Wang and S. Hu, “Photoacoustic tomography: In vivo imaging from organelles to organs,” Science, vol. 335, no. 6075, pp. 1458–1462, 2012.
[34] J. Zheng, W. Dong, J. Sun, Q. Song, X. Jiang, S. Wang, S. Liu, and C. Tian, “TT-PADM: A Time-Driven Transformer Diffusion Model for Robust Sparse-View and Limited-View Photoacoustic Tomography,” BME Frontiers, vol. 7, p. 0237, 2026, doi: 10.34133/bmef.0237.
[35] A. M. Yu, X. Huang, S. Morais, J. H. Park, D. A. Zopf, S. J. Hollister, and S. Y. Emelianov, “Quantitative photoacoustic tomography of skin vasculature predicts subcutaneous implant exposure,” J. Biomed. Opt., vol. 31, no. 2, p. 026005, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.31.2.026005.
[36] V. M. Moock, M. P. Colín-García, R. E. Camacho-López, O. E. Morales-Toledo, and A. Pérez-Pacheco, “Dual illumination and detection photoacoustic tomography of hollow metal cylinders,” Applied Sciences, vol. 15, p. 11967, 2025, doi: 10.3390/app152211967.
[37] Z. Chen, J. Zhang, C. Liu, C. Yang, and S. Chen, “Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Review of Mechanisms, Prediction Approaches, and Mitigation Strategies,” Batteries, vol. 12, p. 88, 2026, doi: 10.3390/batteries12030088.
[38] M. Winter and R. J. Brodd, “What Are Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors?,” Chem. Rev., vol. 104, no. 10, pp. 4245–4270, Sep. 2004, doi: 10.1021/cr020730k.
[39] Y. Che, C. Duan, K. Yang, X. Di, X. Liu, C. Xiong, et al., “Cellulose-based separators in aqueous zinc-ion batteries: Mechanistic strategies for dendrite suppression and performance enhancement,” Carbohydrate Polymers, p. 124963, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.124963.
[40] S. Jeong, C. Kim, V. S. Avvaru, G. Teeter, J. Ahn, G. Yang, and H. Kim, “Self-Healing Lithium Dendrites through Spontaneous Passivating Layer Formation for Stable Solid-State Lithium–Metal Batteries,” ACS Nano, 2026.
[41] H. Liu, Y. Zhao, J. Zhou, P. Li, S.-H. Bo, and S.-L. Chen, "Photoacoustic Imaging of Lithium Metal Batteries," ACS Applied Energy Materials, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 1260–1264, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.1021/acsaem.9b01791.
[42] K. Nomura, S. Ishifuro, and S. Asai, “Study on Non-Contact Defect Detection Using the Laser Ultrasonic Method for Friction Stir-Welded Cu–Al Dissimilar Material Joints,” Applied Sciences, vol. 16, p. 688, 2026, doi: 10.3390/app16020688.
[43] C. Millon, A. Vanhoye, A. F. Obaton, and J. D. Penot, “Development of laser ultrasonics inspection for online monitoring of additive manufacturing,” Welding in the World, vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 653–661, 2018, doi: 10.1007/s40194-018-0570-7.
[44] G. Davis, R. Nagarajah, S. Palanisamy, R. A. R. Rashid, P. Rajagopal, and K. Balasubramaniam, “Laser ultrasonic inspection of additive manufactured components,” The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 102, no. 5, pp. 2571–2579, 2019, doi: 10.1007/s00170-018-03257-9.
[45] Y. Jiang et al., “Quantitative Imaging Detection of Additive Manufactured Parts Using Laser Ultrasonic Testing,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 186071–186079, 2020, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3030307.
[46] Z. Zhou, K. Zhang, J. Zhou, G. Sun, and J. Wang, “Application of laser ultrasonic technique for non-contact detection of structural surface-breaking cracks,” Optics & Laser Technology, vol. 73, pp. 173–178, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2015.04.026.
[47] Y.-K. An, B. Park, and H. Sohn, “Complete noncontact laser ultrasonic imaging for automated crack visualization in a plate,” Smart Mater. Struct., vol. 22, no. 2, p. 025022, Jan. 2013, doi: 10.1088/0964-1726/22/2/025022.
[48] G. Zhang, S. Dong, Q. Xin, L. Guo, X. Wang, G. Xin, et al., “Transistor-level thermal management in wide and ultra-wide bandgap power semiconductor transistors: A review,” International Journal of Thermal Sciences, vol. 219, p. 110200, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2026.110200.
[49] G. Galioto, G. Vitale, A. Sferlazza, G. Lullo, and G. C. Giaconia, “Wide and Ultrawide Bandgap Power Semiconductors: A Comprehensive System-Level Review,” Electronics, vol. 15, p. 835, 2026, doi: 10.3390/electronics15040835.
[50] L. Wang, F. Yang, Y. Pei, et al., “Packaging and integration of silicon carbide power devices,” Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering, vol. 3, pp. 157–172, 2026, doi: 10.1038/s44287-026-00263-0.
[51] P.-C. Chen, W.-C. Miao, T. Ahmed, et al., “Defect Inspection Techniques in SiC,” Nanoscale Research Letters, vol. 17, p. 30, 2022, doi: 10.1186/s11671-022-03672-w.
[52] S.-H. Huang and Y.-C. Pan, “Automated visual inspection in the semiconductor industry: A survey,” Computers in Industry, vol. 66, pp. 1–10, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.compind.2014.10.006.
[53] Y. Yin, J. Xia, H. Nie, B. Yao, D. Sun, L. Ma, R. Li, Z. Li, and B. Zhang, “Numerical simulation analysis of laser ultrasonic detection of defects in silicon carbide,” Crystals, vol. 15, no. 2, p. 125, 2025, doi: 10.3390/cryst15020125.
[54] K. Zhang, Z. Zhou, J. Zhou, and G. Sun, “Characteristics of laser ultrasound interaction with multi-layered dissimilar metals adhesive interface by numerical simulation,” Appl. Surf. Sci., vol. 353, pp. 284–290, 2015.
[55] A. Alshaya, G. Alabduljabbar, and A. Alalwan, “Machine-learning-based real-time photoacoustic surface crack detection,” Engineering Proceedings, vol. 56, no. 1, p. 92, 2023, doi: 10.3390/ASEC2023-15328.
[56] E. Dieussaert, R. Baets, H. Jans, et al., “Non-contact photoacoustic imaging with a silicon photonics-based Laser Doppler Vibrometer,” Sci. Rep., vol. 14, no. 22953, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74266-y.
[57] A. Alifkalaila, Mitrayana, and R. Widyaningrum, “Photoacoustic imaging system based on diode laser and condenser microphone for characterization of dental anatomy,” Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Inf. Technol., vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 2363–2368, Dec. 2021, doi: 10.18517/ijaseit.11.6.12902.
[58] I. Huen, R. Zhang, R. Bi, X. Li, M. Moothanchery, and M. Olivo, “An investigation of signal preprocessing for photoacoustic tomography,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 1, p. 510, 2023, doi: 10.3390/s23010510.
[59] Y. Sun and H. Jiang, “Enhancing finite element-based photoacoustic tomography by localized reconstruction method,” Photonics, vol. 9, no. 5, p. 337, 2022, doi: 10.3390/photonics9050337.
[60] P. Hu, L. Ai, Z. Qiu, J. Zuo, S. Liu, Y. Liu, Z. Peng, and C. Song, “Laser ultrasonic nondestructive testing on metal additive manufacturing components,” Chinese Journal of Lasers, vol. 49, no. 14, p. 1402803, 2022, doi: 10.3788/CJL202249.1402803.
[61] R. Burger, D. Wu, and C. U. Grosse, “Non-destructive evaluation and defect characterization of ceramic matrix composites using laser ultrasonics,” in Proc. 9th Int. Congr. Ultrasonics (ICU), Paderborn, Germany, Sept. 21–25, 2025, pp. 263–266, doi: 10.5162/Ultrasonic2025/D3-a5.
[62] D. Vangi, M. S. Gulino, N. Montinaro, C. Mineo, D. Cerniglia, and G. Epasto, “On the use of two emerging laser-based flaw-detection techniques – considerations and practicalities,” Optics and Lasers in Engineering, vol. 165, p. 107551, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2023.107551.
Published
Data Availability Statement
Upon request of the interested parties
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jose Mario Derramadero Dominguez, Lenin Francisco Escamilla-Herrera, Orlando Miguel Medina-Cazares, Salvador Manuel Malagón-Soldara, Gerardo Gutiérrez-Juárez, Francisco Javier García-Rodríguez.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors who publish in this journal accept the following conditions:
The authors retain the copyright and assign to the journal the right of the first publication, with the work registered with the Creative Commons Attribution license 4.0, which allows third parties to use what is published as long as they mention the authorship of the work and the first publication in this magazine.
Authors may make other independent and additional contractual agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the article published in this journal (eg, include it in an institutional repository or publish it in a book) as long as they clearly indicate that the work it was first published in this magazine.
Authors are allowed and encouraged to share their work online (for example: in institutional repositories or personal web pages) before and during the manuscript submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, greater and more quick citation of published work (see The Effect of Open Access).
How to Cite
