Dual modality reflection mode optical coherence and photoacoustic microscopy using an akinetic sensor

This Letter presents a novel dual modality reflection mode optical coherence and photoacoustic microscopy (OC-PAM) system. The optical coherence microscopy modality features a broadband source to accomplish 5 μm axial resolution. The photoacoustic microscopy modality uses a rigid akinetic Fabry-Perot etalon encapsulated in an optically transparent medium, which forms a 2 mm×11 mm translucent imaging window, permitting reflection mode dual modality imaging. After characterization, the OC-PAM system was applied to image zebrafish larvae in vivo, demonstrating its capability in biomedical imaging with complementary optical scattering and absorption contrasts by revealing morphology in the fish larvae.