Polyimide-etalon all-optical ultrasound transducer for high frequency applications

We have enhanced our design for an all-optical high frequency ultrasound transducer consisting of a UV-absorbing polyimide film integrated into an etalon receiver operating in the NIR range. A dielectric stack having high NIR reflectivity and high UV transmittance was chosen as the first mirror for increased sensitivity and the allowance of polyimide as the etalon medium. A 13 ns, 0.7 μJ optical pulse at 355 nm and a continuous-wave NIR laser were focused onto the structure with a spot diameter of 120 and 35 μm, respectively. In receive mode the etalon had a noise-equivalent pressure of 4.1 kPa over a bandwidth of 5 – 50 MHz (0.61 Pa/√Hz ). The device generated a pressure of 270 kPa at a depth of 200 μm, and the -3 dB bandwidth of the emission extended from 27 to 60 MHz. In transmit/receive mode, the pulse-echo had a center frequency of 35 MHz with a -6 dB bandwidth of 49 MHz (140 %). Lastly, wire targets were imaged by scanning the UV spot to create a synthetic aperture of transmitters centered upon a single receiver.

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