Open AccessComplete-noncontact photoacoustic microscopy by detection of initial pressures using a 3×3 coupler-based fiber-optic interferometer
Author(s) -
Yi Wang,
Yingxin Hu,
Binyang Peng,
Hongxian Zhou,
Yuqian Zhao,
Zhenhe Ma
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.381129
Subject(s) - interferometry , optics , materials science , microscopy , confocal , microscope , optical fiber , preclinical imaging , photoacoustic doppler effect , confocal microscopy , photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine , photoacoustic effect , biomedical engineering , in vivo , physics , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
We demonstrate a 3×3 coupler-based fiber-optic interferometric system to detect the local initial photoacoustic pressure. In contrast with the existing interferometric photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) relying on the measurement of the phase change of the probe light caused by the sample surface vibration, the present method measures the intensity change of the probe light caused by the initial photoacoustic pressure. Compared with the conventional interferometric PAMs, this method has the advantages: (1) it is free from the influence of the rough tissue surface, achieving complete noncontact in vivo imaging; (2) the probe light and the excitation light are focused at a same point below the sample surface, and the confocal configuration makes it more convenient for in vivo imaging; and (3) there is no need for phase stabilization, allowing a high imaging speed. These advantages show that the method will be a promising technique for in vivo imaging. This method is verified by imaging of a resolution test target and in vivo imaging of the blood vessels in a mouse ear.