Holographic Interferometry has been successfully employed to characterize the materials and behavior of diverse types of structures under stress. Specialized variations of this technology have also been applied to define dynamic structural behavior. Such applications of holographic techniques offer some of the most effective methods of structural flaw identification and analysis available. This technology is nondestructive, real-time, and definitive in allowing the identification of anomalous structural and mechanical geometry as well as describing dynamic behavior under stress. Structures and materials can be analyzed with very low amplitude stress or excitation and the resultant data can be used to adjust the accuracy of mathematically derived structural models or as criteria for complete inspection and analysis programs, as well as in developmental analysis.
Holographic Interferometry has offered a powerful tool to aid in the primary engineering and development of advanced ceramic materials and structures. This type of material is finding increased use in advanced aerodynamic, automotive, and other highly mobile platforms. These types of applications especially, must consider environments where extremes in vibration and mechanical and thermal stresses can affect both operation and structural stability. These are ideal requisites for analysis using advanced holographic methods in the initial design and subsequent test of such advanced structures and materials. Holographic methods are nondestructive, real-time, and definitive in allowing the identification of minute displacements, and motion geometries. Such effects are directly indicative of various types of induced mechanical and thermal stress related to hidden structural anomalies and defects. Such information is often crucial to the determination of mechanical configurations and designs as well as operational parameters of structures composed of advanced engineering materials.