Abstract

A novel fiber-optic laser-ultrasound transducer based on core-offset splicing fiber is proposed. The experimental operation and working mechanism of the transducer based on ultrasonic generation at sidewall of a core-offset splicing fiber are demonstrated. A 20% coupling ratio core-offset structure was used to fabricate the transducer. Around 480 mV peak-to-peak power ultrasound waves were obtained on the fiber sidewall at the core-offset splicing point with 0.04 mJ laser pulse in the system, which shows a high photoacoustic conversion efficiency. The strength of generated ultrasonic signal can be controlled by adjusting the misalignment size of the core-offset structure. Moreover, the efficient ultrasonic generation at optical fiber sidewall based on core-offset splicing fiber has potential in achievement of multipoint ultrasound generation.

© 2017 Optical Society of America