All-optical photoacoustic tomography via beam deflection

Abstract Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) uniquely combines the advantages of optical contrast with deep tissue penetration capability of acoustic waves, enabling imaging at depths of several centimeters. Conventional PAI methods have relied on pulsed lasers to induce the photoacoustic effect, coupled with arrays of pressure transducers to detect the resulting ultrasound signals. In this work, we propose an alternative all-optical approach that leverages optical deflection to record photoacoustic waves by an array of detection beams. The measured signal is shown to be the Radon transform of the pressure gradients. An optimization-based inversion procedure is used to reconstruct the initial time pressure gradient field. Subsequently, a Galerkin method is used to reconstruct the pressure field from the pressure gradient field. The new modality offers the potential for enhanced sensitivity and reduced signal distortion, advancing the capabilities of PAI beyond traditional transducer-based systems.