Optical Generation and Detection of Ultrasound

Abstract: This is a review of the optical generation and detection of ultrasound on work carried out in different optical detection techniques at the Strathclyde University. We start by pointing out some limitations of conventional ultrasonic transducers and show how the use of optical-based transducers can overcome them. After explaining how laser generation of ultrasound works, we will describe and compare the advantages and disadvantages of three optical detection techniques. Finally, we describe applications in which optical ultrasound techniques appear to have a promising future.