System modelling of photoacoustic sensing and imaging solutions

Photoacoustic sensing and imaging use absorbed optical energy to generate acoustic waves. Depending on the application, light may interact with gases, liquids, tissue, or other materials. The generated pressure waves then propagate through the sample and surrounding medium before being detected and processed. The final performance depends on the complete measurement chain, not on a single component. This project will establish a generic and modular system model for photoacoustic solutions. It will cover optical excitation and light–tissue or light–sample interaction, acoustic generation and propagation, detection, electronics, digitization, signal processing, and noise. Particular attention will be given to photonic integrated circuit (PIC) based detection concepts, including Micro-Opto-Mechanical Pressure, Sound, and Ultrasound Sensors (MOMPS) and laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV). The framework should be applicable to different sensing and imaging scenarios, while allowing application-specific parameters, geometries, detectors, and performance metrics to be introduced when needed. Type of internship : Master internship Duration : 6-8 months Required educational background : Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Physics, Other University promotor : Xavier Rottenberg (KU Leuven) Supervising scientist(s) : For further information or for application, please contact Amir Asadollahi ( Amir.Asadollahi@imec.be ) and Victor Garcia Munoz ( Victor.GarciaMunoz@imec.be ) and Kathleen Vunckx ( Kathleen.Vunckx@imec.be ) The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-344 . Mention this reference code in your application. Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university. Applications should include the following information: resume motivation current study Incomplete applications will not be considered