Acousto-optical coherence tomography using random phase jumps on ultrasound and light

Max Lesaffre (1) , S. Farahi (2) , Michel Gross (1) , Philippe Delaye (3) , Claude Boccara (2) , François Ramaz (2)

1 LKB (Lhomond) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
2 IL - Institut Langevin - Ondes et Images (UMR7587)
3 Laboratoire Charles Fabry de l'Institut d'Optique / Manolia

Imaging objects embedded within highly scattering media by coupling light and ultrasounds (US) is a challenging approach. In deed, US enable direct access to the spatial localization, though resolution can be poor along their axis (cm). Up to now, several configurations have been studied, giving a millimetric axial resolution by applying to the US a microsecond pulse regime, as is the case with conventional echography. We introduce a new approach called Acousto-Optical Coherence Tomography (AOCT), enabling us to get a millimetric resolution with continuous US and light beams by applying random phase jumps on US and light. An experimental demonstration is performed with a self-adaptive holographic setup containing a photorefractive GaAs bulk crystal and a single large area photodetector.

Keywords: Photorefractive effect; ultrasound detection; Acousto-optical coherence tomography

Domains: Optics [physics.optics]

Max Lesaffre, S. Farahi, Michel Gross, Philippe Delaye, Claude Boccara, et al.. Acousto-optical coherence tomography using random phase jumps on ultrasound and light. Optics Express, 2009, 17 (20), pp.18211. ⟨hal-00554320⟩