Spatial interference encoding patterns based photoacoustic microscopy

Single sensor (pixel) signals require scanning of the sample in order to obtain spatial information. In this paper we show that using interference, optically induced signals can be reconstructed when recorded using interference pattern excitation, rather than a point illumination. This method reduces the need for dense scanning and requires a small number of scans, or can eliminate the need for scanning in some cases. It is shown that this method can be used in particular in 2D photo-acoustic imaging.