Time-domain Brillouin imaging of sound velocity and refractive index using automated angle scanning

Abstract

We present a picosecond optoacoustic technique for mapping both the longitudinal sound velocity v and the refractive index n in solids by automated measurement at multiple probe incidence angles in time-domain Brillouin scattering. Using a fused silica sample with a deposited titanium film as an optoacoustic transducer, we map v and n in the depth direction. Applications include the imaging of sound velocity and refractive index distributions in three dimensions in inhomogeneous samples such as biological cells.

Keywords

• Picosecond ultrasonics
• Brillouin scattering
• Time domain
• Sound velocity
• Refractive index
• Ultrafast