Newport brand Spectra-Physics has introduced alphaScan, a compact integrated optical-parametric oscillator (OPO) and pump laser that outputs high energies in the near-infrared (NIR) for photoacoustic imaging.
With a rapid-scan option, the system is capable of switching wavelengths in alternating laser pulses for differential measurements, enabling enhanced imaging and signal quality. The system is software controlled and fully automated for simple operation in biological imaging and spectroscopy applications.
Photoacoustic imaging, also known as photoacoustic tomography, is an emerging technique for imaging live tissue at depths up to 10cm for detecting tumours and cancer research. Using this method, the laser light locally excites acoustic waves in the live tissue for high resolution, spectroscopic imaging at very large depths.