Laser diode-based transmission mode photoacoustic microscopy

Abstract

Development of laser diode-based low-cost pulsed light sources is becoming increasingly important for optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM). Accordingly, several recent studies have shown excellent images, showing the potential for LD to replace conventional Q-switch lasers. However, the biggest hurdle still existing in applying LD as a new type of light source is that because of the complex beam mode of high-power LD (>4W), it is very difficult to deliver sufficient energy to target tissue via a narrow core diameter optical fiber. To bypass this problem, as a first step, we designed and implemented a transmission mode OR-PAM system using a 450 nm LD and lab-made LD driver. In this poster, we will present our recent experimental results showing the relationship between various parameter changes of the LD driver and the corresponding characteristics of the produced laser pulses as well as in vivo images.