Abstract

A piezoelectric detector with cylindrical shape for photoacoustic section imaging is characterized. This detector is larger than the imaging object in direction of the cylinder axis, giving rise to its integrating properties. Its focal volume has the shape of a slice and the acquisition of signals for one section image requires rotation of an object about an axis perpendicular to this slice. Image reconstruction from the signals requires the application of the inverse Radon transform. It is shown that implementing the Abel transform is a suitable step in data processing, allowing speeding up the data acquisition since the scanning angle can be reduced. The resolution of the detector was estimated in directions perpendicular and parallel to the detection plane. An upper limit for the out of plane resolution is given and section images of a zebra fish are shown.

© 2011 OSA/SPIE