Dual-frequency fiber-array photoacoustic computed tomography for high-resolution deep brain imaging

Zitao Chen; Yuhan Wu; Hexiang Xu; Lanling Liang; Jun Ma; Yi Zhang; Bai-Ou Guan

doi:10.1038/s41377-026-02324-3

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Dual-frequency fiber-array photoacoustic computed tomography for high-resolution deep brain imaging

Original Articles

- Dual-frequency fiber-array photoacoustic computed tomography for high-resolution deep brain imaging
- Light: Science & Applications Vol. 15, Issue 8, Pages: 2818-2832(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
  2.College of Physics & Optoelectronic Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
  3.College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Author bio：
  
  Jun Ma (jun.ma@jnu.edu.cn)
  Yi Zhang (zhangyi_0424hot@163.com)
  Bai-Ou Guan (tguanbo@jnu.edu.cn)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-026-02324-3
  CLC：
- Received：02 August 2025，
  
  Revised：2026-04-19，
  
  Accepted：20 April 2026，
  
  Online First：01 June 2026，
  
  Published：31 August 2026
- Accepted：
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Chen, Z. T. et al. Dual-frequency fiber-array photoacoustic computed tomography for high-resolution deep brain imaging. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 2818-2832 (2026).
DOI：

Chen, Z. T. et al. Dual-frequency fiber-array photoacoustic computed tomography for high-resolution deep brain imaging. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 2818-2832 (2026). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-026-02324-3.

摘要

Abstract

Photoacoustic tomography as an optical-ultrasound hybrid imaging modality provides rich optical contrast over the extended penetration depth of biological tissues

enabling multiscale multicontrast structural and functional imaging. However

inherent limitations in the state-of-the-art piezoelectric transducer arrays of the photoacoustic tomography

including size-dependent sensitivity

narrow bandwidth

and high material rigidity

compromise the resolution

penetration depth

and functional assessment precision. Here

an arc-shaped fiber ultrasound transducer array with a sheet-like ultrasound focus is demonstrated for photoacoustic computed tomography. At the ultrasound focus

a low detection limit of ~ 5.2 Pa and a dual-frequency response spanning several octaves are achieved. Whole mouse brain imaging with a depth up to ~ 1.2 cm and a spatial resolution of ~ 70 μm in the cerebral cortex region is showcased. The blood oxygen saturation within the entire mouse brain and the brain tumors is visualized

and the assessment precision is improved by leveraging the dual-frequency response of the transducer array. The centimeter-scale imaging depth

fine resolution of the cerebral vessels

and improved precision in the blood oxygenation evaluation make the fiber-array photoacoustic tomography a competitive candidate to the sought-after magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound localization microscopy for brain functionality study and disease diagnosis.

关键词

Keywords

references

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