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. 2020 May 11;20(9):2745. doi: 10.3390/s20092745

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Simplified schematic depiction of the most relevant processes for photoacoustic signal generation. Intensity modulation of radiation excites internal molecular states. Due to non-radiative relaxation processes, part of the photon energy is converted into heat, leading to a local increase in temperature and pressure. Periodic light modulation thus leads to a pressure wave that may be detected using suitable transducer elements.