Novel physical solutions, including new results in the field of adaptive methods and inventive approaches to inverse problems, original concepts based on high harmonic imaging algorithms, intriguing vibro-acoustic imaging and vibro-modulation technique, etc. were successfully introduced and verified in numerous studies of industrial materials and biomaterials in the last few years. Together with the above mentioned traditional academic and practical avenues in ultrasonic imaging research, intriguing scientific discussions have recently surfaced and will hopefully continue to bear fruits in the future. The goal of this book is to provide an overview of the recent advances in high-resolution ultrasonic imaging techniques and their applications to biomaterials evaluation and industrial materials. The result is a unique collection of papers presenting novel results and techniques that were developed by leading research groups worldwide. This book offers a number of new results from well-known authors who are engaged in aspects of the development of novel physical principles, new methods, or implementation of modern technological solutions into current imaging devices and new applications of high-resolution imaging systems. The ultimate purpose of this book is to encourage more research and development in the field to realize the great potential of high resolution acoustic imaging and its various industrial and biomedical applications.

This is the second volume of Advances in Acoustic Microscopy. It continues the aim of presenting applications and developments of techniques that are related to high-resolution acoustic imaging. We are very grateful to the authors who have devoted considerable time to preparing these chapters, each of which describes a field of growing importance. Laboratories that have high-performance acoustic microscopes are frequently asked to examine samples for which the highest available resolution is not necessary, and the ability to penetrate opaque layers is more significant. Such applications can be thought of as bridging the gap be tween acoustic microscopy at low gigahertz frequencies, and on the one hand nondestructive testing of materials at low megahertz frequencies and on the other hand medical ultrasonic imaging at low megahertz frequencies. Commercial acoustic microscopes are becoming increasingly available and popular for such applications. We are therefore delighted to be able to begin the volume with chapters from each of those two fields. The first chapter, by Gabriele Pfannschmidt, describes uses of acoustic microscopy in the semiconductor industry. It provides a splendid balance to the opening chapter of Volume 1, which came from a national research center, being written from within a major European electronics industry itself. Dr Pfann schmidt describes the use of two quite different types of acoustic microscopes, and points out the advantages of each for specific purposes.

This only and up-to-date monograph on this versatile method covers its use in a range of applications spanning the fields of physics, materials science, electrical engineering, medicine, and research and industry. Following an introduction, the highly experienced author goes on to investigate acoustic field structure, output signal formation in transmission raster acoustic microscopes and non-linear acoustic effects. Further chapters deal with the visco-elastic properties and microstructure of the model systems and composites used, as well as polymer composite materials and the microstructure and physical-mechanical properties of biological tissues. A handy reference for materials scientists, electrical engineers, radiologists, laboratory medics, test engineers, physicists, and graduate students.

This open access book provides a comprehensive overview of the application of the newest laser and microscope/ophthalmoscope technology in the field of high resolution imaging in microscopy and ophthalmology. Starting by describing High-Resolution 3D Light Microscopy with STED and RESOLFT, the book goes on to cover retinal and anterior segment imaging and image-guided treatment and also discusses the development of adaptive optics in vision science and ophthalmology. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the reader will learn about the latest developments and most up to date technology in the field and how these translate to a medical setting. High Resolution Imaging in Microscopy and Ophthalmology – New Frontiers in Biomedical Optics has been written by leading experts in the field and offers insights on engineering, biology, and medicine, thus being a valuable addition for scientists, engineers, and clinicians with technical and medical interest who would like to understand the equipment, the applications and the medical/biological background. Lastly, this book is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Gerhard Zinser, co-founder of Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, a scientist, a husband, a brother, a colleague, and a friend.

In 1992 Acoustic Microscopy was published by Oxford University Press, in the series of Monographs on the Physics and Chemistry of Materials. Reviews appeared in the Journal of Microscopy [169 (1), 91] and in Contemporary Physics [33 (4), 296]. At the time of going to press, it seemed that the field of acoustic microscopy had settled down from the wonderful developments in resolution that had been seen in the late seventies and the early eighties and from the no less exciting developments in quantitative elastic measurements that had followed. One reviewer wrote, "The time is ripe for such a book, now that the expansion of the subject has perceptively slowed after it was detonated by Lemons and Quate. " [A. Howie, Proc. RMS 27 (4), 280]. In many ways, this remains true. The basic design for both imaging and quantitative instruments is well-established; the upper frequency for routine imaging is the 2 GHz established by the Ernst Leitz scanning acoustic microscope (ELSAM) in 1984. For the most accurate V(z) measurements, the 225-MHz line-focus-beam lens, developed at Tohoku Univer sity a little before then, remains standard. The principles of the contrast theory have been confirmed by abundant experience; in particular the role of surface acoustic waves, such as Rayleigh waves, dominates the contrast in most high resolution studies of many materials.

For many years Acoustic Microscopy has been the definitive book on the subject. A key development since it was first published has been the development of ultrasonic force microscopy. The 2nd edition has a major new chapter on this technique and its applications.

This book highlights the use of LEDs in biomedical photoacoustic imaging. In chapters written by key opinion leaders in the field, it covers a broad range of topics, including fundamentals, principles, instrumentation, image reconstruction and data/image processing methods, preclinical and clinical applications of LED-based photoacoustic imaging. Apart from preclinical imaging studies and early clinical pilot studies using LED-based photoacoustics, the book includes a chapter exploring the opportunities and challenges of clinical translation from an industry perspective. Given its scope, the book will appeal to scientists and engineers in academia and industry, as well as medical experts interested in the clinical applications of photoacoustic imaging.