Abstract: Systems and methods for non-contact, non-invasive image construction of interior tissue are provided. Electromagnetic (EM) waves may be used to transmit through a high acoustic material or barrier, such as a bone, where the EM wave is then absorbed and converted to ultrasound (US) or audible band acoustic longitudinal waves or shear waves once past the high acoustic impedance barrier. The EM to acoustic converted waves are generated through thermoelastic mechanisms. This enables acoustic waves to propagate in the soft tissue on the opposing side of the barrier while minimizing reverberation and clutter. The US waves propagate within the tissue and may be measured using a detector, such as coherent lidar or optical band multipixel camera noninvasively outside the tissue. Furthermore, a phased array can be used to steer and shape the acoustic radiation pattern of the acoustic waves in the soft tissue beyond the bone or high acoustic impedance barrier.