Piezoelectric annular array for large depth of field photoacoustic imaging.

A piezoelectric detection system consisting of an annular array is investigated for large depth of field photoacoustic imaging. In comparison to a single ring detection system, X-shaped imaging artifacts are suppressed. Sensitivity and image resolution studies are performed in simulations and in experiments and compared to a simulated spherical detector. In experiment an eight ring detection systems offers an extended depth of field over a range of 16 mm with almost constant lateral resolution.