Optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) provides high-resolution, label-free and non-invasive functional imaging for broad biomedical applications. Dual-polarized fiber laser sensors have high sensitivity, low noise, a miniature size, and excellent stability; thus, they have been used in acoustic detection in OR-PAM. Here, we review recent progress in fiber-laser-based ultrasound sensors for photoacoustic microscopy, especially the dual-polarized fiber laser sensor with high sensitivity. The principle, characterization and sensitivity optimization of this type of sensor are presented. In vivo experiments demonstrate its excellent performance in the detection of photoacoustic (PA) signals in OR-PAM. This review summarizes representative applications of fiber laser sensors in OR-PAM and discusses their further improvements.
Keywords: dual polarization; fiber laser sensor; high sensitivity; high stability; optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy.