Optoacoustic Transducer Research Articles

Pulsed regime of a spin-injection oscillator

A spin-injection oscillator in the pulsed regime is studied for the first time at different time parameters of current pulses using an opto-acoustic transducer in the absence of chopper. The reciprocity principle is violated when the direction of current in the pulse is reversed in the pulsed regime of the terahertz generation. The radiation signal of the spin-injection emitter is proportional to the number of charges that are injected by a current pulse and does not depend on the energy that is released in the presence of the pulsed current flow.

The QLA and QTA strain Picosecond opto-acoustic interferometry and polarimetry in high-index GaAs

By means of a metal opto-acoustic transducer we generate quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse picosecond strain pulses in a (311)-GaAs substrate and monitor their propagation by picosecond acoustic interferometry. By probing at the sample side opposite to the transducer the signals related to the compressive and shear strain pulses can be separated in time. In addition to conventional monitoring of the reflected probe light intensity we monitor also the polarization rotation of the optical probe beam. This polarimetric technique results in improved sensitivity of detection and provides comprehensive information about the elasto-optical anisotropy. The experimental observations are in a good agreement with a theoretical analysis.

Lateral spatial resolution of widened focused transducer array for optoacoustic tomography

Numerical investigation of a point spread function for a optoacoustic transducer array is described. Analysis of the minimal reconstructed dimension for an optoacoustic image of a point source of spherical waves is performed within the proposed approach. The influence of the array geometrical parameters, number of array transducers, and the frequency band of a single transducer on the lateral resolution in the image plane is investigated in detail. It is demonstrated that the lateral resolution obtained with the help of a transducer array in the image plane is determined unambiguously by the frequency band of a transducer, the flare angle of the array, and the transducer width and does not depend on the number of transducers.

Nanometer Metrology of Periodic Structures With Ultrafast Optoacoustics

AbstractWe present an optoacoustic method to non-destructively measure the average dimensions of a periodic array of simple structures with aspect ratios greater than 10:1, which are inaccessible to AFM techniques. The technique that we describe could be used as the basis of an inline metrology tool for wafer inspection. The samples examined were test structures with high precision lithographically defined lines of silicon dioxide deposited on a silicon substrate. The thickness of the silicon dioxide was around 400 nm, and the gaps between the lines ranged from 100 nm down to smaller than 40 nm. A drop of water was placed on the sample, and an optoacoustic transducer was placed on top; measurements were taken with a water thickness less than 1 micron between the optoacoustic transducer and the sample. The water filled the spaces between the lines due to the hydrophilic nature of the sample surface. Using the picosecond ultrasonics technique, acoustic pulses are generated in a special optoacoustic transducer, transmitted through a coupling fluid (water), scattered off of the sample being examined and then return to the transducer. The returning acoustic signal shows nanometer sensitivity to the height of the lines and the specific details of their profile.

Opto-acoustic measurement of the local light absorption coefficient in turbid media: 2. On the possibility of light absorption coefficient measurement in a turbid medium from the amplitude of the opto-acoustic signal

The second part of this work describes the experimental technique of measuring the local light absorption in turbid media. The technique is based on the measurement of the amplitude of an opto-acoustic (OA) signal excited in a turbid medium under the condition of one-sided access to the object under study. An OA transducer is developed to perform the proposed measurement procedure. Experiments are conducted for the turbid media with different optical properties (light absorption and reduced scattering coefficients) and for different diameters of the incident laser beam. It is found that the laser beam diameter can be chosen so that the dependences of the measured OA signal amplitude on the light absorption coefficient coincide upon varying the reduced scattering coefficient by more than twice. The obtained numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the OA method is applicable for measuring the local light absorption coefficient in turbid media, for example, in biological tissues.

Measurement of the spectral directivity of optoacoustic and ultrasonic transducers with a laser ultrasonic source

Comprehensive characterization of wideband ultrasonic transducers and specifically optoacoustic detectors is achieved through the analysis of their frequency response as a function of the incident angle. The tests are performed under well-defined, repeatable operating conditions. Backillumination of a blackened, acoustically matched planar surface with a short laser pulse creates an acoustic impulse which is used as a wideband ultrasonic source. Upon illumination with a short laser pulse, the bandwidth of our source shows a -6 dB point of 12 MHz and a low-frequency roll-off around 300 kHz. Using proprietary software, we examine thoroughly the planarity of the emitted wave front within a specified amplitude cutoff and phase incoherence. Analysis of the angular dependence of the frequency response yields invaluable directivity information about the detector under study: a necessary component toward accurate optoacoustic image reconstruction and quantitative tomography. The laser ultrasonic source we developed is the main feature of our directivity measurement setup. Due to its simplicity, it can easily be adapted to various calibration devices. This paper focuses on the development and characterization of the flatness and the bandwidth of our wideband ultrasonic source.

Novel combined optoacoustic and laser-ultrasound transducer array system

A new multichannel integral system enabling simultaneous laser-optoacoutic and laser-ultrasonic and optical-acoustic images in real time has been proposed. The new potential of such a system and the advantages of both methods (large depth of penetration, high image contrast, and spatial resolution) are discussed in detail.

An integrated optoacoustic transducer combining etalon and black PDMS structures

An integrated optoacoustic transducer combining etalon and black polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures has been designed and developed. The device consists of an 11-mum-thick black PDMS film confined to a 2-mm-diameter circular region acting as an optoacoustic transmitter, surrounded by a 5.9-mum Fabry-Perot polymer etalon structure serving as an optoacoustic detector array. A pulsed laser is focused onto a 30-mum spot on the black PDMS film, defining the transmit element, while a CW laser probes a 20-mum spot on the etalon for ultrasound detection. Pulse-echo signals display center frequencies of above 30 MHz with bandwidths of at least 40 MHz. A theta-array is formed for 3-D ultrasound imaging by mechanically scanning the generation laser along a 1-D array and the detection laser around an annular array. Preliminary images with 3 metal wires as imaging targets are presented. Characterization of the device's acoustical properties, as well as preliminary imaging results, suggest that all-optical ultrasound transducers are potential alternatives to piezoelectric techniques for high-frequency 2-D arrays enabling 3-D high-resolution ultrasound imaging.

Laser ultrasonic diagnostics of residual stress

Ultrasonic NDE is one of the most promising methods for non-destructive diagnostics of residual stresses. However the relative change of sound velocity, which is directly proportional to applied stress, is extremely small. An initial stress of 100 MPa produces the result of δV/V∼10 −4. Therefore measurements must be performed with high precision. The required accuracy can be achieved with laser-exited ultrasonic transients. Radiation from a Nd-YAG laser (pulse duration 7 ns, pulse energy 100 μJ) was absorbed by the surface of the sample. The exited ultrasonic transients resembled the form of laser pulses. A specially designed optoacoustic transducer was used both for the excitation and detecting of the ultrasonic pulses. The wide frequency band of the piezodetector made it possible to achieve the time-of-flight measurements with an accuracy of about 0.5 ns. This technique was used for measuring of plane residual stress in welds and for in-depth testing of subsurface residual stresses in metals. Plane stress distribution for welded metallic plates of different thicknesses (2–8 mm) and the subsurface stress distribution for titanium and nickel alloys were obtained. The results of conventional testing are in good agreement with the laser ultrasonic method.

Laser-Ultrasonic Measurement of Stress in Metal

Stress in metal was investigated by acousto-elastic effect. The dependence of longitudinal ultrasonic wave velocity on transverse stress was considered. A laser-ultrasonic defectoscope was used for precise ultrasonic velocity measurement. Optoacoustic transducer provides laser excitation and piezoelectric wide-band detection of ultrasonic pulse. The accuracy of the measurement exceeded 0.1% for 2 mm thick metal sample. Samples in the form of plates with the thickness of 2 to 4 mm made of aluminum and titanium alloys and stainless steel were tested. The samples were loaded quasistatically, the load was changing from zero to yield point stress. Load, deformation and velocity of ultrasound were measured. It is shown that the velocity changes significantly with the load. Some features of the velocity change under tensile stress are presented. The possibility of the local residual stress measurement with the laser-ultrasonic technology is discussed.

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control.

Time-resolved optoacoustic method and system for noninvasive monitoring of glucose

The present invention is directed to a method/system of monitoring in real time changes in concentration of glucose in tissues. Laser-induced profiles of absorbed optical energy distribution in tissues are determined via measurements of spatial (in-depth) profile of optically-induced acoustic (pressure) transients using a wide-band optoacoustic transducer. Such technique can be applied for monitoring of glucose concentration in various human or nonhuman tissues, cell cultures, solutions or emulsions.

Pulsed optoacoustic characterization of layered media

Thermoelastic waves generated by absorption of short laser pulses are used to characterize the layer structure of materials. The method is based on the analysis of the distribution of absorbed laser energy from temporal profiles of recorded acoustic signals. Particularly in view of noninvasive medical applications, optoacoustic front surface transducers are investigated in this study, where irradiation of the surface and detection of the acoustic wave take place on the same side of the sample. Front surface detection of optoacoustic waves is studied theoretically and experimentally, with special emphasis on acoustic diffraction and the differences between measurements in the acoustic near and far field. In the experiments, samples with stepwise and continuously varying depth profiles of absorption coefficient were irradiated with laser pulses of 6–8 ns duration. For the detection of the acoustic waves either an optical ultrasound sensor or an annular piezoelectric film was used. Generating the optoacoustic waves with a flat top laser beam profile and detecting the signals in the acoustic near field yields optimal conditions for direct measurements of the distribution of absorbed energy and the absorption coefficient in the medium. Far field measurements are advantageous for detecting and imaging layer boundaries at large depths in the sample.

Backward mode detection of laser-induced wide-band ultrasonic transients with optoacoustic transducer

Time-resolved piezoelectric detection of wide-band ultrasonic transients induced by laser pulses in absorbing medium was studied. An optoacoustic transducer was developed for measuring the profiles of ultrasonic transients propagating in backward direction out of the laser-irradiated medium. For this purpose, an optical fiber for delivery of laser pulses to the surface of absorbing medium and a wide-band lithium niobate acoustic transducer were incorporated in one compact system, optoacoustic front surface transducer (OAFST). The transducer possesses temporal resolution (rise time) of 3.5 ns, low effective thermal noise pressure (10 Pa), and high sensitivity of piezoelectric detection (10 μV/Pa) over the ultrasonic frequency range from 1 to 100 MHz. Nd:YAG laser pulses at 355 nm were employed to generate distribution of acoustic sources in water solutions of potassium chromate with various concentrations. A temporal course of ultrasonic transients launched into an optically and acoustically transparent medium, coupled to the absorbing medium, was studied. Ultrasonic profiles experimentally measured at the site of laser irradiation were compared with profiles calculated using theoretical model. Experimental curves were in a good agreement with theoretical profiles. The backward detection mode permitted accurate reconstruction of the axial distribution of heat deposition in the laser-irradiated homogeneous or layered medium from the measured profiles. OAFST may become a useful modality for optoacoustic imaging in biological tissues and nondestructive evaluation of industrial materials.

A simple optical microphone

In the past, a number of different working principles have been suggested for optical microphones, but many of these require a high degree of technical sophistication. Thus some suggestions are based on the interferometric principle, whilst others would utilize frequency modulation of laser light via a variable mirror (membrane) situated in the laser resonator. Light intensity modulation is a much more simple approach: A light beam emitted from an optical fiber is aimed at a reflecting membrane. The beam reflected from the membrane is captured by a second optical fiber and fed into a photodiode. Depending on the movement of the membrane, more or less light is launched into a second optical fiber. The photoelectric current of the photodiode thus expresses the movement of the membrane, and with it the sound field, as an electrical signal. As optical fibers transmit light with very few losses, the actual optoacoustic transducer can be positioned at a long distance from the light source and the photodiode. This allows problem-free use of the optoacoustic transducer in the presence of very strong electromagnetic fields (e.g., MRI). It is possible to improve upon this principle via simple modifications. The electroacoustic characteristics achieved are discussed and a model is presented.

Evaluation of layered composites by laser optoacoustic transducers

An ultrasonic method for evaluation of composite structures by laser-excited wide-band acoustic pulses is proposed. Two types of laser optoacoustic transducers, in transmission and reflection modes, are used in the spectral range of 0.1–10 MHz. In the first case, the frequency dependence of the attenuation factor of ultrasound is measured. In the reflection mode, the optoacoustic transducer allows us to obtain the time-dependent shape and spectrum of the backscattered acoustic signal with one-sided access to a specimen or product. Specimens of a layered graphite-epoxy composite of different porosity (up to 1.2%) are studied. In the frequency range of 1–5 MHz, the attenuation factor of ultrasound measured in the transmission mode is the greater the higher the porosity of the specimen. The “noise” part of the backscattered acoustic pulse is found to increase with increasing porosity of the specimens. A 1% growth in porosity causes a threefold increase in the noise power. The results obtained confirm the advantages of the laser optoacoustic method for evaluation of composite materials and products during their manufacturing and operation.

Characterization of optoacoustic surgical devices

Describes a measurement technique specially developed to characterize optoacoustic sources. The technique provides a convenient baseline for a comparison of different surgical ultrasonic systems utilizing optoacoustic and ultrasonic transducers. In addition, it provides a well-defined tool to optimize the performance of a variety of designs. Attention is focused on the laser-assisted devices in which appropriately delivered light energy is converted into acoustic shock wave. A meaningful comparison of such devices with other therapeutic equipment designed for a direct interaction with tissue requires knowledge of energy needed for a successful surgical treatment. It is demonstrated that knowledge of the key shock wave parameters allows the total acoustic energy associated with the shock wave to be determined. The procedure developed to calculate this energy is discussed and it is shown that the value of this energy can be conveniently used as an indicator of efficacy of an optoacoustic converter in a clinical environment. The influence of the performance of the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hydrophone probes on the measurement results was also analyzed. It was determined that when appropriately selected, the wide-band PVDF probes are well suited for characterization of the optoacoustic devices in the frequency range 1-100 MHz. The characterization procedure developed is applicable to surgical ultrasonic systems including conventional and laser-assisted phacoemulsifiers.

Characterization of optoacoustic transducers

Abstract This paper describes a measurement technique specially developed to characterize optoacoustic sources in terms of their acoustic output. Attention is focused on laser assisted devices in which appropriately delivered light energy is converted into acoustic shock waves. A meaningful comparison of such devices with other therapeutic equipment designed for a direct interaction with tissue requires knowledge of the energy needed for a successful surgical treatment. It is demonstrated that knowledge of the key shock wave parameters allows the total acoustic energy associated with the shock wave to be determined. The procedure developed to calculate this energy is discussed and it is shown that the value of this energy can be conveniently used as an indicator of efficacy of an optoacoustic converter in a clinical environment. The influence of the performance of the PVDF hydrophone probes on the measurement results was also analyzed. It was determined that when appropriately selected, the wideband PVDF probes are well suited for characterization of the optoacoustic devices in the frequency range 1–100 MHz. The characterization procedure developed is applicable to surgical ultrasonic systems including conventional and laser assisted phacoemulsifiers.

Focusing with an optoacoustic transducer

A prototype of an ultrasonic transducer has been developed that uses an optical input to control the ultrasonic output. This transducer is called an optoacoustic transducer (OAT) and provides an ultrasonic pattern that is spatially similar to the optical pattern used to illuminate it. When a focus-inducing optical pattern, such as a zone plate, is used, an acoustic focus is achieved. The success of this procedure depends on the use of amplitude-modulated light at the input and on filtering the received signal to eliminate the primary frequency. This provides an increase, from 30 dB to 70 dB, in the ratio of acoustic pressure in the illuminated regions to that in the dark regions. The prototype operates at 2.8 MHz and has been used to provide a good acoustic focus in water. A 3-dB beamwidth of 3.5 mm was measured at a range of 92 mm. The construction techniques and materials used are discussed.

Optoacoustic transducers: Focussing ultrasound under optical control

Optoacoustic transducers: Focussing ultrasound under optical control