LAUSR

In this paper, we report a new photoacoustics (PA) sensing probe design using a single optical fiber for both light delivery and ultrasonic detection. This is made possible by the development and use of an optically transparent ultrasound transducer, which allows the excitation light to pass through and travel along the optical fiber to reach the target. In return, the transducer senses the generated PA signal transmitted through the optical fiber as an acoustic delay line. Optical transmission testing was performed to determine the transparency of the PMN-PT transducer. For demonstration, a prototype probe was designed, fabricated, and tested with black tape and red dye solutions as the target. The detection of an embedded target in the chicken breast was also demonstrated.