Laser-induced ultrasound transmitters in a flexible photoacoustic and ultrasound tomography setup

We present a new laboratory setup for photoacoustic, transmission ultrasound and reflection ultrasound tomography. The system is based on a pair of independently rotating hemisphere segments on which are mounted acoustic transmitters and detectors. The interchangeability of the elements, as well as the ability to fully customise the acquisition protocol, allows for a considerable amount of flexibility in testing out different imaging approaches in both 2D and 3D. The current focus is the development of laser-induced ultrasound (LIUS) transmitters for use in tomographic imaging. We propose a transmitter design tuned for speed-of-sound mapping with a 1MHz centred response.