Fully Customized Photoacoustic System Using Doubly Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser and Multiple Axes Stages for Laboratory...

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Imaging
• Acoustics

Background:

• Photoacoustic (PA) imaging systems require precise control over laser parameters to detect weak acoustic signals.
• Existing commercial laser systems often lack the flexibility needed for optimizing PA signal acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a customized doubly Q-switched laser and a modularized sample stage for an advanced PA imaging system.
• To enhance the capability of capturing weak PA signals through improved system control and adjustability.

Main Methods:

• A customized doubly Q-switched laser with an acousto-optic Q-switcher was engineered for adjustable pulse repetition rate (10 Hz-10 kHz) and pulse width (40-150 ns).
• A custom-made modularized sample stage with a nine-axis control unit was designed for precise adjustment of sample targets and transducers.
• The developed PA system was utilized to acquire and process images of hair and insulating tape samples.

Main Results:

• The customized laser system demonstrated easy control over pulse repetition rate and pulse width, surpassing limitations of commercial systems.
• The modularized sample stage facilitated free adjustment of sample targets and transducers, proving effective for capturing weak PA signals.
• Successful image acquisition and processing were achieved for standard sample targets using the fully customized PA system.

Conclusions:

• The developed customized doubly Q-switched laser-based PA imaging system offers significant flexibility and control for diverse research needs.
• The proposed technique is adaptable for various conditions, including wavelength, frequency, pulse width, and sample targets.
• This advancement is expected to benefit fundamental and applied research in PA imaging system applications.