Improvement of sensitivity of acousto-optical imaging using a powerful long pulse laser

Guy Rousseau; Alain Blouin; Jean-Pierre Monchalin

doi:10.1117/12.761667

28 February 2008 Improvement of sensitivity of acousto-optical imaging using a powerful long pulse laser

Guy Rousseau, Alain Blouin, Jean-Pierre Monchalin

Proceedings Volume 6856, Photons Plus Ultrasound: Imaging and Sensing 2008: The Ninth Conference on Biomedical Thermoacoustics, Optoacoustics, and Acousto-optics; 68561O (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.761667
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2008, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Acousto-optical imaging is based on the detection of strongly scattered light which is in part modulated by its interaction with an ultrasonic wave. This method benefits from the acoustic uniformity (low acoustic scattering and absorption) of an optically diffusive medium and the spectrally selective absorption of photons. In this work, we consider the use a pulsed single-frequency laser to increase the instantaneous optical power applied to the diffusive medium while maintaining the average power below the maximum permissible exposure. Such a laser source concentrates the illumination of the diffusive medium during the transit time of the ultrasonic toneburst. This allows collecting more ultrasound-modulated photons for a given ultrasonic wave amplitude. We found, however, that a pulsed laser of this kind generates additional noise which limits the sensitivity gain expected from its high peak power. Progress toward sensitive imaging was achieved by developing methods to reduce the impact of this additional noise. Results obtained with differential detection, laser beam spatio-temporal homogenization and variable delay synchronization are presented. With such measures, the use of a pulsed laser appears a promising solution for enhancing the sensitivity in acousto-optical imaging.

Citation Download Citation

Guy Rousseau, Alain Blouin, and Jean-Pierre Monchalin "Improvement of sensitivity of acousto-optical imaging using a powerful long pulse laser", Proc. SPIE 6856, Photons Plus Ultrasound: Imaging and Sensing 2008: The Ninth Conference on Biomedical Thermoacoustics, Optoacoustics, and Acousto-optics, 68561O (28 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.761667

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KEYWORDS

Ultrasonics

Photons

Interferometers

Pulsed laser operation

Acoustics

Crystals

Optical amplifiers

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