Image Quality Equations for Focused Transducer in Circular Photoacoustic Computed Tomography

Abstract

In this paper, we divide the imaging geometry of a photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) structure that have a circular geometry and have focused transducers of positive or negative focus, into different zones of varying resolution. With using the presented analysis, it is possible to find the maximum range in which the system resolution is at its best value, according to the device specifications. The following equations are used to find the blind spot angles of the system for each source point inside the chamber. These are important for two reasons: the first is that the user can calculate the range in which the imaging system has the best quality by entering the specifications of his PACT system in the equations mentioned in this article. The second is that the user can, depending on his minimum expectations of a PACT system, use the presented equations to calculate the parameters required to design a PACT system.