Opto-acoustic methods and apparatus for performing high resolution acoustic imaging and other sample probing and modification operations
US7624640B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/0427
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An opto-acoustic transducer assembly includes a substrate; at least one layer of opto-acoustic material coupled to a surface of the substrate, where the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material generates sound waves when struck by pulses of pump light; and an acoustic lens configured to focus sound waves generated by the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material towards a sample. The acoustic lens is further configured to collect sound waves returning from the sample and to direct the returning sound waves to the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material. The at least one layer of opto-acoustic material is responsive to the returning sound waves for having at least one optical property thereof changed, where the change is detectable from a change in a characteristic of reflected pulses of probe light that are time delayed with respect to the pulses of pump light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.