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 mu m axial resolution. The photoacoustic microscopy modality uses a rigid akinetic Fabry-Perot etalon encapsulated in an optically transparent medium, which forms a 2 mm x 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. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America