Nanosecond laser pulse melting of stressed refractory materials: real-time laser ultrasonics and spectral radiometry studies with high spatio-temporal resolution

Faculty Development Competitive Research Grant Program 2019-2021

The goal of this project is to develop novel advanced opto-mechanical instrumentation for accurate, accelerated and down-sized high temperature testing of stressed metallic and ceramic refractory materials for their physico-chemical stability using non-contact, furnace-free rapid surface melting by nanosecond pulse lasers with in-situ real-time assessment of their thermal, mechanical, chemical and microstructural properties with nanosecond temporal and micron-scale spatial resolutions. Proposed research aims at developing advanced fast melting technique for rapid high temperature testing of stressed refractory metals and ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTC) for advanced nuclear & fusion reactors, supersonic jets, rocket propulsion and other industrial applications involving materials under harsh environment of high temperature and stress states.