This work explores the generation of Lamb waves and their higher harmonics using a pattern source. An array of laser sources, when used with a short-pulsed laser, generate multiple Lamb modes in a plate-like component. The variation in duty ratio of the pattern source is found to influence the generation of fundamental modes and their harmonics. A two-dimensional finite element model is developed to simulate the narrowband Lamb wave generation process, and validated against targeted experiments. For a ‘square-like’ spatial profile of energy distribution, the second harmonic of the fundamental wave modes is fully suppressed at the duty ratio of 0.5, and the third harmonic of the fundamental wave modes is fully suppressed at duty ratios of 1/3 and 2/3. As the duty ratio increased from 0.2 to 0.8, the variation in amplitude of the fundamental modes is greater than that of the higher order modes. For duty ratio values less than 0.25 and greater than 0.75, the second harmonic component of the fundamental waves had approximately the same amplitude as the fundamental wave modes. Similarly, the third harmonic of the fundamental wave modes had the same amplitude or slightly higher amplitude than the higher order Lamb modes for duty ratio values less than 0.25 and greater than 0.75. © 2022