Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (NI-PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image is obtained from a bias-switchable row-column array transducer. A row channel data set is obtained by applying a bias voltage pattern to groups of row electrodes, the bias voltage pattern being chosen such that row electrodes within each group have the same bias voltage; transmitting a waveform along each of the plurality of row electrodes; and recording received column signals from each of the plurality of column electrodes. A column channel data set is obtained by applying a bias voltage pattern to groups of column electrodes, the bias voltage pattern being chosen such that column electrodes within each group have the same bias voltage; transmitting a waveform along each of the plurality of column electrodes; and recording received row signals from each of the plurality of row electrodes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system has a bias-switchable, ultrasonic transducer array and a bipolar voltage source. The array has a dielectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; top and bottom electrode strips in electrical contact with the top and bottom surface of the dielectric layer, the bottom electrode strips being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top electrode strips. There is an acoustic matching layer or multiplicity of matching layers on the front-side of the array and a leakage-current mitigation layer. The bipolar voltage source is connected to each of the top and bottom electrode strips to induce a polarization in the dielectric layer, the bipolar voltage source being capable of switching between a high voltage state and a low voltage state. A controller controls the bipolar voltage source, and pulsing to and receiving signals from the top and bottom electrode strips.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (NI-PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: A transparent ultrasound transducer has a transparent substrate and a transparent transducer structure. The transducer structure has a bottom electrode, a top electrode electrically insulated from the bottom electrode, and an array of acoustically active elements within a separating layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The top electrode and bottom electrode have a conductive transparent material. One or both of the top electrode and the bottom electrode have a composite layer made from the conductive transparent material and a supplemental material that has a greater conductivity of the conductive transparent material. A majority of an area of the composite layer comprises the conductive transparent material.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging a sample uses a 2D array of bias-sensitive, ultrasound transducers arranged in first and second strips, and a source of radiation to stimulate the sample to be imaged. The second electrode strips are sequentially biased according to sequential biasing patterns of voltages that correspond to rows or columns of an invertible matrix. For each biasing pattern, signals are measured from the first electrode strips to detect return signals from the sample that result from the sample being stimulated. A dataset is calculated based on the measured signals, the dataset comprising an effective signal for each of a plurality of transducer elements in the array. An image of the sample is generated based on the dataset.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonically imaging an object includes providing a 2D array of bias-sensitive ultrasound transducer elements. Each ultrasound transducer element has first and second electrodes on first and second sides of the ultrasound transducer connected in plural first and second electrode strips. The plural first electrode strips are oriented at an angle to the plural second electrode strips. A biasing pattern is applied to a plurality of the second electrode strips and generating a series of transmit events in one or more first electrode strips. Return pulses are detected by measuring received signals from biased second electrode strips. For the series of transmit events, the second electrode strips are biased according to sequential biasing patterns of voltages that correspond to rows or columns of an invertible matrix. The measured received signals are processed to generate an image of the object.

Abstract: A camera-based photoacoustic remote sensing system (C-PARS) for imaging a subsurface and deep structures in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; a camera to map the returning portion of the interrogation beam over the entire field of view.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (NI-PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: A coherence gated photoacoustic remote sensing system for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample with optical resolution may include an excitation beam source configured to generate an excitation beam that induces ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation team source configured to generate an interrogation team incident on the sample at an interrogation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals, the interrogation beam being a low-coherent beam; an optical system that focuses the excitation beam onto the sample at an excitation location, and focuses the interrogation beam onto the sample at an interrogation location, at least the interrogation location being below the surface of and within the sample; and a low coherence interferometer that isolates a returning portion of the interrogation beam that corresponds to an interrogation event of the sample.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: A camera-based photoacoustic remote sensing system (C-PARS) for imaging a subsurface and deep structures in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; a camera to map the returning portion of the interrogation beam over the entire field of view.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: A camera-based photoacoustic remote sensing system (C-PARS) for imaging a subsurface and deep structures in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; a camera to map the returning portion of the interrogation beam over the entire field of view.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system for imaging a sample has an array of ultrasound transducers, a transmitter for driving the array of ultrasound transducers, a receiver that receives ultrasonic reflections from the sample, and a processor that generates an image of the sample based on a set of sub-image capture events, each sub-image capture event comprising received ultrasonic reflections. For each sub-image capture event, the transmitter transmits a sequence of transmit events from the ultrasound transducers. Each transmit event comprises a plurality of distinct waveforms directed toward separate focal zones on the sample. The sequence of transmit events comprises a sequence of distinct waveforms directed toward each focal zone. The cross-correlation level of the distinct waveforms in each transmit event is low, and the sequence of distinct waveforms is complementary.

Abstract: A photoacoustic remote sensing system (NI-PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample; and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.

Abstract: An optical system has a first electrode, and an optical element suspended above the first electrode. The optical element is flexible and comprises a second electrode. An optical element support rigidly supports an outer perimeter of the optical element above the first electrode. A voltage source applies a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, the potential difference causing the optical element to flex and adjust a focal zone of the optical element. An optical source generates a beam. A lens focuses the beam to a lens focal zone in which the beam has a beam width, the beam at the beam width being incident on the optical element.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging a sample uses a 2D array of bias-sensitive, ultrasound transducers arranged in first and second strips, and a source of radiation to stimulate the sample to be imaged. The second electrode strips are sequentially biased according to sequential biasing patterns of voltages that correspond to rows or columns of an invertible matrix. For each biasing pattern, signals are measured from the first electrode strips to detect return signals from the sample that result from the sample being stimulated. A dataset is calculated based on the measured signals, the dataset comprising an effective signal for each of a plurality of transducer elements in the array. An image of the sample is generated based on the dataset.