In this thesis a new instrument, the all-optical scanning acoustic microscope (O-SAM) is presented, it is a non contact scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) which uses lasers to both generate and detect surface acoustics waves (SAWs) The non contact nature of the O-SAM overcomes some difficulties associated with conventional SAMs because of the couplant and surface contact involved. This O-SAM al...

Recent advances now permit the use of scanning acoustic microscopy for the analysis of subcellular components. By sequential viewing of identified fixed cells with acoustic, light, and electron microscopy, we have established that the acoustic microscope can readily detect such features as nuclei and nucleoli, mitochondria, and actin cables. Under optimal conditions, images can even be obtained...

In this paper, the results of imaging experinents with the interfacial region~ of representative solid material joints, ~1ng a transmission-type scanning acoustic microscope operating at 150 HHz, are reported. Voids and flaws in specially made joints as well as production-line silicon solder bonds (die bonded headera' have been detected using the transmission~de of operation of the microscope. ...