All-optical focused ultrasound detector for intravascular applications

One of the main challenges in intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging is the limited sensitivity and bandwidth of miniaturized piezoelectric probes. Optical detectors of ultrasound can drastically improve both these features, but often lack acoustic focusing. In this work, we developed a focused ultrasound detector by integrating a miniaturized acoustic lens, made out of glass, with a silicon-photonics-based detector. A detection bandwidth of up to 80 MHz and lateral resolution beyond 50 µm was demonstrated with a lens diameter of 0.8 mm. Our device is transparent in the near-infrared window, simplifying its integration in a miniaturized IVPA probe.