title: All-optical optoacoustic microscopy based on probe beam deflection technique.
abstract: Optoacoustic (OA) microscopy using an all-optical system based on the probe beam deflection technique (PBDT) for detection of laser-induced acoustic signals was investigated as an alternative to conventional piezoelectric transducers. PBDT provides a number of advantages for OA microscopy including (i) efficient coupling of laser excitation energy to the samples being imaged through the probing laser beam, (ii) undistorted coupling of acoustic waves to the detector without the need for separation of the optical and acoustic paths, (iii) high sensitivity and (iv) ultrawide bandwidth. Because of the unimpeded optical path in PBDT, diffraction-limited lateral resolution can be readily achieved. The sensitivity of the current PBDT sensor of 22 μV/Pa and its noise equivalent pressure (NEP) of 11.4 Pa are comparable with these parameters of the optical micro-ring resonator and commercial piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. Benefits of the present prototype OA microscope were demonstrated by successfully resolving micron-size details in histological sections of cardiac muscle.
authors.affiliation: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; EchoLase, Inc., 5234 Tomas Circle, San Antonio, TX 78240, USA.
authors.forename: Saher M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Maswadi
authors.affiliation: Radio Frequency Bioeffects Branch, Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Bennett L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Ibey
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Dept. of Radiological Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
authors.forename: Caleb C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.affiliation: TomoWave Laboratories, 6550 Mapleridge St., Houston, TX 77081, USA.
authors.forename: Dmitri A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Tsyboulski
authors.affiliation: Optical Radiation Branch, Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Hope T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Beier
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; EchoLase, Inc., 5234 Tomas Circle, San Antonio, TX 78240, USA.
authors.forename: Randolph D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.affiliation: TomoWave Laboratories, 6550 Mapleridge St., Houston, TX 77081, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oraevsky
keywords: All optical optoacoustic system; Backward mode optoacoustic microscopy; Non-contact acoustic sensor; Optical resolution photoacoustic imaging; Optoacoustic tomography; Probe beam deflection technique