An approach is proposed which combines simultaneously advantages both
of pulse (PT) and modulated infrared thermography. In a nondestructive
evaluation perspective, the specimen is pulse heated as in PT and the
mix of frequencies of the thermal waves launched into the specimen is
unscrambled by performing the Fourier transform of the temperature ev
olution over the field of view. Of interest is the maximum phase image
with many attractive features: deeper probing, less influence of surf
ace infrared and optical characteristics, rapid image recording (pulse
heating, surface-wide inspection), and the possibility to inspect hig
h thermal conductivity specimens. Several results are presented and th
e theory is discussed as well. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.