Filmes de poli(fluoreto de vinilideno-co-trifluoretileno), P(VDF-IrFE), com uma razão molar 70/30 de VDF e IrFE, respectivamente, foram expostos à radiação-X sob vácuo em uma ampla faixa de doses de irradiação. Este é um copolímero estatístico e semi-cristalino que possui a especial característica de cristalizar espontaneamente numa estrutura ferroelétrica. Ele também possui uma transição de fase ferro-paraelétrica detectável, definida como a temperatura de Curie (Tc). Devido a estas características tem despertado considerável interesse, em especial na área da eletrônica como elemento transdutor. As modificações induzidas foram investigadas por espectroscopia fotoacústica no infravermelho (FT-IR/PAS), assim como FI-IR por transmitância, calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (IG), difração de raios-X, UV/Visível e espectroscopia Raman. As técnicas espectroscópicas vibracionais (fotoacústica no IR, Raman e absorção no IR) foram utilizadas na identificação de bandas relacionadas às regiões cristalinas e amorfas, formação e rompimento de ligações e presença de novos grupos funcionais. Nos espectros IR e Raman são observadas duas bandas que estão relacionadas às regiões cristalinas e sofrem mudanças nas suas intensidades relativas de acordo com a dose de radiação. Essas mudanças podem ser interpretadas como aumento ou diminuição do grau de cristalinidade, e também em termos de modificações de arranjos cristalinos. A difração de raio-X mostrou o aparecimento de um pico, próximo àquele da fase ferroelétrica, sob aumento da dose de radiação, devido a um processo de modificação do arranjo cristalino acima da dose de 480 kGy. Foi observado um aumento de intensidade no referido pico de difração, correspondendo a um aumento do grau de cristalinidade da amostra. As curvas de DSC mostraram picos endotérmicos correspondentes a fusão e transições de fases que, através de suas variações, possibilitam avaliar os efeitos da irradiação com raios-X. Os espectros UV/Visível mostraram absorções dos cromóforos cujas intensidades de banda aumentam com a dose de radiação e diminuem durante o envelhecimento da amostra. Os dados indicam que a radiação-X induz uma modificação no arranjo cristalino do P(VDF-TrFE). Tal modificação, é provavelmente uma mudança de estrutura ferroelétrica para outra, paraelétrica. / Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) films, P(VDF-TrFE), with a molar ratio 70/30 of VDF and TrFE units, respectively, were exposed to X-ray radiation under vacuum in a wide range of irradiation doses. This is a statistic semi-crystalline copolymer and displays the unique feature of a spontaneous crystallization into a ferroelectric structure. It also possesses a detectable ferro-paraelectric transition, the Curie temperature (Tc). Due to these characteristics considerable interest in such copolymer has been generated, specially in electronics as a transducer element. The induced modifications were investigated by Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FT-IR/PAS) as well as transmittance FT-IR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction, UV/Visible and Raman spectroscopies. The spectroscopic vibrational techniques (FT-IR/PAS, FT-IR and Raman) were used to identify bands related to crystalline and amorphous regions, bond formation, bond scission and presence of new functional groups. In both IR and Raman spectra were observed a couple of bands related to the crystalline regions that undergo changes of relative intensities with the radiation dose. These changes may be interpreted as an increase or decrease of the crystallinity degree, and also modifications of crystal structure. X-ray diffraction showed a new peak, close to that of the ferroelectric phase, under increasing radiation doses, due to a modification of crystal structure process above 480 kGy dose. An increase in the intensity of the former diffraction peak was observed, corresponding to an increase in the crystallinity degree. The DSC curves showed the endothermic peaks corresponding to the melting and the phase transitions, whose variations allow an evaluation of the effects of X-ray radiation. UV/Visible spectra showed chromophores absorptions whose band intensities increase by radiation dose and decrease during sample\'s aging. The data indicate that P(VDF-TrFE) under X-ray radiation exposition undergoes a crystal structure modification, probably a change of a ferroelectric structure to another one, paraelectric.

No description available.

A espectroscopia fotoacústica é uma técnica muito utilizada na caracterização de materiais. Ela é baseada no efeito fotoacústico, que consiste na geração de som a partir da incidência de radiação eletromagnética intermitente numa amostra confinada numa pequena câmara fechada e preenchida com algum gás. O efeito fotoacústico depende de muitos parâmetros como a freqüência de modulação da radiação eletromagnética incidente e de parâmetros ópticos e térmicos do material em estudo. O modelo de Rosencwaig-Gersho (RG) tem sido empregado na estimativa de parâmetros ópticos e térmicos da amostra utilizando os casos especiais de opacidade e de comportamento térmico do material. Há o interesse em utilizar o modelo RG para a estimativa de dois ou mais parâmetros, simultaneamente. Houve algum sucesso com a aplicação do método inverso utilizando dados experimentais sintéticos, ou seja, utilizando dados gerados pelo modelo RG (método direto), aos quais adiciona-se ruído com o intuito de simular dados experimentais. O objetivo do presente trabalho é a utilização de dados experimentais reais nesta abordagem do método inverso. Para isso foi realizado um projeto de experimento onde se estudou a possibilidade de estimação simultânea de parâmetros a partir das condições gerais do experimento real. Neste projeto de experimento, o estudo dos coeficientes de sensibilidade modificados desempenha um papel central. Desta forma, foi elaborado um algoritmo para o projeto de experimento, onde é estudada a relação entre tais coeficientes e a estimação dos parâmetros feita pelo método inverso. Como exemplo, é apresentada a execução de um projeto de experimento simples, realizado qualitativamente, porém capaz de apontar para um experimento fotoacústico que fornecerá dados experimentais reais para estimativa de um determinado parâmetro físico da amostra. Com esses dados experimentais o problema inverso foi aplicado para a estimação da difusividade térmica da amostra. Por fim, uma discussão é feita com relação ao valor da difusividade térmica obtida pelo método inverso e com relação à abordagem do método inverso na espectroscopia fotoacústica. / Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a very effective technique for optical and thermal characterization of materials. This technique is based on photoacoustic effect. It occurs when a material sample placed inside a closed cell filled with any gas is illuminated with periodically interrupted light. This effect depends on many parameters as modulation frequency of the incident electromagnetic radiation and on optical and thermal properties of the material studied. The Rosencwaig-Gersho (RG) model has been used for parameter estimation where special cases of opaqueness and thermal behavior of the material are considered. One has interest in the use of the general RG model to estimate two or more parameters, simultaneously. In this way, the inverse problem approach has been applied with the direct problem modeled with the general RG model. However, synthetic experimental data has been used in such approach, e.g., noise is added on the data, obtained from direct problem, in order to simulate real experimental data. The main goal of this work is to use the real experimental data in the inverse problem approach. It was needed to carry out the sensitivity study of the parameters with respect to the overall experimental conditions. The modified sensitivity coefficients play an important role in such study. Therefore, an algorithm was built up to study the relationship between modified sensitivity coefficients for the successful inverse approach of parameter estimation. As an example, a simple and qualitative study of sensitivity of the parameters was done, using such algorithm. It pointed out the conditions of the real experimental arrangement in which experimental data were obtained to estimate a unique parameter of the sample. With these experimental data the inverse problem was applied for determining the thermal diffusivity of the sample. Finally, a discussion is presented on the value obtained for the thermal diffusivity by this approach and on the application of the inverse method on the photoacoustic spectroscopy.

A espectroscopia fotoacústica é uma técnica muito utilizada na caracterização de materiais. Ela é baseada no efeito fotoacústico, que consiste na geração de som a partir da incidência de radiação eletromagnética intermitente numa amostra confinada numa pequena câmara fechada e preenchida com algum gás. O efeito fotoacústico depende de muitos parâmetros como a freqüência de modulação da radiação eletromagnética incidente e de parâmetros ópticos e térmicos do material em estudo. O modelo de Rosencwaig-Gersho (RG) tem sido empregado na estimativa de parâmetros ópticos e térmicos da amostra utilizando os casos especiais de opacidade e de comportamento térmico do material. Há o interesse em utilizar o modelo RG para a estimativa de dois ou mais parâmetros, simultaneamente. Houve algum sucesso com a aplicação do método inverso utilizando dados experimentais sintéticos, ou seja, utilizando dados gerados pelo modelo RG (método direto), aos quais adiciona-se ruído com o intuito de simular dados experimentais. O objetivo do presente trabalho é a utilização de dados experimentais reais nesta abordagem do método inverso. Para isso foi realizado um projeto de experimento onde se estudou a possibilidade de estimação simultânea de parâmetros a partir das condições gerais do experimento real. Neste projeto de experimento, o estudo dos coeficientes de sensibilidade modificados desempenha um papel central. Desta forma, foi elaborado um algoritmo para o projeto de experimento, onde é estudada a relação entre tais coeficientes e a estimação dos parâmetros feita pelo método inverso. Como exemplo, é apresentada a execução de um projeto de experimento simples, realizado qualitativamente, porém capaz de apontar para um experimento fotoacústico que fornecerá dados experimentais reais para estimativa de um determinado parâmetro físico da amostra. Com esses dados experimentais o problema inverso foi aplicado para a estimação da difusividade térmica da amostra. Por fim, uma discussão é feita com relação ao valor da difusividade térmica obtida pelo método inverso e com relação à abordagem do método inverso na espectroscopia fotoacústica. / Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a very effective technique for optical and thermal characterization of materials. This technique is based on photoacoustic effect. It occurs when a material sample placed inside a closed cell filled with any gas is illuminated with periodically interrupted light. This effect depends on many parameters as modulation frequency of the incident electromagnetic radiation and on optical and thermal properties of the material studied. The Rosencwaig-Gersho (RG) model has been used for parameter estimation where special cases of opaqueness and thermal behavior of the material are considered. One has interest in the use of the general RG model to estimate two or more parameters, simultaneously. In this way, the inverse problem approach has been applied with the direct problem modeled with the general RG model. However, synthetic experimental data has been used in such approach, e.g., noise is added on the data, obtained from direct problem, in order to simulate real experimental data. The main goal of this work is to use the real experimental data in the inverse problem approach. It was needed to carry out the sensitivity study of the parameters with respect to the overall experimental conditions. The modified sensitivity coefficients play an important role in such study. Therefore, an algorithm was built up to study the relationship between modified sensitivity coefficients for the successful inverse approach of parameter estimation. As an example, a simple and qualitative study of sensitivity of the parameters was done, using such algorithm. It pointed out the conditions of the real experimental arrangement in which experimental data were obtained to estimate a unique parameter of the sample. With these experimental data the inverse problem was applied for determining the thermal diffusivity of the sample. Finally, a discussion is presented on the value obtained for the thermal diffusivity by this approach and on the application of the inverse method on the photoacoustic spectroscopy.

L'imagerie photoacoustique (IPA) des tissus biologiques permet de combiner les avantages des imageries optique et ultrasonore. Le principal contraste endogène pour l’IPA provient des vaisseaux sanguins en raison de la forte absorption de l'hémoglobine par rapport aux tissus environnants. De plus, les vaisseaux sanguins sont à peu près cylindriques et la concentration d'hémoglobine peut être supposée uniforme à l'intérieur des veines. Comme première contribution, nous avons développé dans cette thèse un modèle analytique de fluence optique pour plusieurs inhomogénéités cylindriques parallèles incorporées dans un milieu turbide. Les modèles analytiques n’existent que pour les cas simples. Pour traiter des situations plus complexes, comme les tissus biologiques, les méthodes numériques sont nécessaires. La deuxième contribution de cette thèse consiste à développer un solveur multigrilles de l'équation de diffusion optique et donc de proposer une méthode numérique efficace pour résoudre la fluence optique. Enfin, notre troisième contribution concerne la reconstruction de la tomographie quantitative photoacoustique (TQPA). Basée sur les modèles efficaces présentées dans les première et seconde contributions, nous avons proposé une méthode de reconstruction basée sur le modèle direct analytique pour les cas simples et une méthode d'inversion basée sur multigrille pour les cas plus réalistes. Les avantages de la méthode d'inversion basée sur multigrille sont présentés à la fois en terme de temps de calcul et de vitesse de convergence. Une validation expérimentale est présentée dans le dernier chapitre de cette thèse, prouvant la validité et l'analyse des performances des méthodes développées. / Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) of biological tissues tries to combine the advantages of optical and acoustical imaging. The main endogenous contrast for PAI is derived from blood vessels due to the strong absorption of hemoglobin compared to the background tissues. Furthermore, blood vessels are roughly cylindrical and hemoglobin concentration can be assumed to be uniform inside the vessel. Therefore, the blood vessels can be considered as “cylindrical inhomogeneities”. As a first contribution, we have developed in this thesis an analytical model of optical fluence for multiple parallel cylindrical inhomogeneities embedded in an otherwise homogeneous turbid medium. Analytical models only exist for simple cases. To deal with more complex situations like biological tissues, numerical methods are required. The second contribution of this thesis is to develop a multigrid solver of optical diffusion equation and therefore to propose an efficient numerical method to resolve the optical fluence. Finally, our third contribution is concerned with quantitative PA tomography (QPAT) reconstruction. Based on the efficient models presented in the first and second contributions, we have proposed an analytic-based reconstruction method for simple cases and a multigrid-based inversion scheme for more realistic cases. The advantages of multigrid-based inversion scheme are shown in both computation and convergence speed. An experimental validation is presented in the last chapter of this thesis, proving the validity and analyzing the performances of the developed methods.

Ce travail décrit de nouveaux composés thérapeutiques anticancéreux traçables par imagerie optique appelés théranostiques optiques.Après un premier chapitre bibliographique décrivant le contexte de l’imagerie et la thérapie des cancers, un deuxième chapitre présente une première série de théranostiques BODIPY-phosphine-or dont la synthèse a été optimisée (diminution du nombre d’étapes, baisse du temps de réaction, compatibilité avec une augmentation d’échelle). Leur conjugaison à des biomolécules (glucose, peptide) a été réalisée par une méthode simple et efficace par couplage entre l’atome d’or de la sonde et la fonction thiol de la biomolécule (modifiée ou non), conduisant à une liaison or-soufre. Elle permet une biovectorisation pour rendre les composés plus sélectifs des cellules tumorales vis à vis des cellules saines. Les études photophysiques et biologiques réalisées ont démontré tout le potentiel de ces théranostiques dans le cadre d’un suivi de composé in vitro et l’impact que pouvait avoir le vecteur choisi.Le troisième chapitre présente deux autres séries de théranostiques et précurseurs visant deux objectifs distincts pour rendre la sonde plus compatible avec une imagerie optique in vivo. La modification structurale de la plateforme BODIPY par introduction de groupements augmentant la conjugaison permet d’obtenir des BODIPYs absorbant et émettant dans la « fenêtre thérapeutique » (650 900 nm, proche infrarouge). Des études préliminaires in vivo ainsi que des tests en imagerie photoacoustique ont donné des résultats prometteurs. Une deuxième modification structurale par introduction de groupements encombrants sur chaque face du BODIPY vise à empêcher l’agrégation des BODIPYs en milieu biologique (phénomène connu pour affecter leurs propriétés optiques). Cette approche « Picket-Fence » des porphyrines transposée en série BODIPY a permis d’appliquer pour la première fois en série BODIPY le concept d’atropoisomérie et d’atropoisomères interconvertibles. / This work describes new anticancer agents that could be detected by optical imaging, namely optical theranostics.After a first chapter describing the context of cancer imaging and therapy, a second chapter describes a first series of BODIPY-phosphine-gold theranostics, the synthesis of which has been optimized (less steps, shortening the reaction time, scale up). Their conjugation with biomolecules (glucose, peptide) has been achieved by developing a simple and efficient method that leads to the coupling between the gold atom of the probe and the thiol of the biomolecule (modified or not), leading to a gold sulfur bound. Hence, it makes the biovectorization of the probes possible in order to get selectivity against tumor cells compared with healthy cells. Subsequent photophysical and biological studies demonstrated the potential of such theranostics, such as in vitro monitoring, and the impact of a chosen biomolecule (vector).A third chapter presents two additional series of theranostics and precursors with two distinct objectives aimed at making the probe more suitable for in vivo optical imaging. A first structural modification of the BODIPY platform was achieved upon introducing chemical groups allowing an extention of the π conjugation. It leads to BODIPYs that absorb and emit in the « therapeutic window » (650 900 nm, NIR). Preliminary in vivo studies and preliminary photoacoustic imaging studies with such compounds led to promising results. A second structural modification upon introducing bulky groups on each face of the probe was aimed at preventing stacking of BODIPYs platforms in biological media (a phenomenon known to affect their optical properties). Hence, a porphyrin « Picket Fence » approach was successfully transposed to BODIPY together with the concept of atropisomery and atropisomer interconversion.

<p>In this work, two overarching global crises are addressed with an engineering lens; the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Regarding the latter, an investigation is completed into the fluxes of CO2 in the wake of a simple wind farm for identification of potentially beneficial siting of Direct Capture of CO2. In this analysis, large-eddy simulations are used to quantify scalar entrainment in the turbines’ wake for several empirical CO2 profiles. In instances with positive or a combination of CO2 gradients, it was found that the concentration of CO2 increased in wake through downward mixing and entrainment. In a negative CO2 gradient, the opposite was found, with the wind turbine mixing away the increased surface<br> concentration and entraining down lower concentration air from above. These findings were used to make recommendations on scenarios in which wind turbines were beneficial to Direct Capture plants.<br> In addition, as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an innovative new technology was designed and constructed; a prototype photoacoustic spectrometer for the rapid detection of viruses. With the vision to become a viral "breathalyzer", the primary stage of development involved the creation of a prototype for proof-of-concept of viral detection using PAS. An extensive literature review was completed to determine optimal<br> design, with several distinct innovations integrated with the end-product in mind; such as a pure silicon resonator cell and a light-emitting diode source for low-cost, portable detection.<br> This was estimated to be of sufficient quality to detect single virions, as found through Finite Element Analysis.<br> Additionally, the validation of a proposed improvement on the medical mask, named Hy-Cu, is shown. Through various tests, Hy-Cu was found to have greater breathability than KN95 or surgical masks, as well as comparable efficiency in filtration of viral droplets.<br> Additionally, the novel inclusion of a diamond-like carbon-coated copper mesh layer resulted in viral inactivation of 99% after a period of 2 hours, allowing Hy-Cu to be safely reused without risk of transmission.<br> </p> <p> </p>

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS) é uma técnica não destrutiva e muito utilizada na caracterização óptica e térmica de materiais. Ela é baseada no efeito fotoacústico que consiste, basicamente, na absorção de onda eletromagnética modulada e na geração de calor no interior do material em estudo (amostra), via processo de desexcitação não-radiativa. Dentre as muitas aplicações relacionadas à caracterização de materiais, recentemente, a técnica PAS vem sendo desenvolvida para estudos de transição de fase de segunda ordem. Entretanto, poucos trabalhos são encontrados na literatura com relação à aplicação da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é o de aplicar a técnica PAS na determinação da temperatura de transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos, de uma maneira inovadora com relação à célula fotoacústica e ao sistema de aquecimento. Para isso foi projetada e construída uma célula fotoacústica que possibilita a variação de temperatura da amostra, sem afetar a curva de resposta do microfone. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de aquecimento baseado no efeito Peltier, possibilitando fazer rampas de subida de temperatura, com várias velocidades, da temperatura ambiente até 130 C, de forma linear. Todo o aparato experimental foi testado e aplicado em várias amostras poliméricas: poliamida 6.0 (Nylon); poliestireno (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); e poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). Os resultados obtidos foram: para o Nylon, ; para o PS-n1921, ; para o PS-n2380, ; e para o PET, . Estes resultados estão de acordo com os respectivos valores da temperatura de transição vítrea encontrados na literatura e mostram a potencialidade da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos. / Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is a non-destructive technique and it has been largely applied to the thermal and optical characterization of materials. PAS technique is based on the photoacoustic effect which consist, basically, absorption of a modulated electromagnetic radiation and generation of heat inside of the material studied (sample), by a nonradiative deexcitation processes. Nowadays, among many PAS applications, effort are carried out to apply PAS technique for second-order phase transitions. However, only a few works can be found in the literature about glass transition studies with PAS technique. In this context, the main goal of this work is to apply PAS technique to determine glass transition temperature of the polymeric materials, based on the new photoacoustic cell configuration and on the new heating system. In this way, a photoacoustic cell was builted up for monitoring temperature variation of the sample, where the performance of the microphone was not affected. A heating system was developed based on the Peltier effect, in such way that it is possible to scan the temperature from the environment one up to 130 C, linearly at several speeds. The experimental apparatus was tested and applied to some polymeric materials: polyamide 6.0 (Nylon); polystyrene (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); and poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). The results obtained were: Nylon, ; PS-n1921, ; PS-n2380, ; and PET, . These results are in a good agreement with the respective values of glass transition temperature found in the literature and show the PAS technique potentiality for glass transition studies in polymeric materials.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS) é uma técnica não destrutiva e muito utilizada na caracterização óptica e térmica de materiais. Ela é baseada no efeito fotoacústico que consiste, basicamente, na absorção de onda eletromagnética modulada e na geração de calor no interior do material em estudo (amostra), via processo de desexcitação não-radiativa. Dentre as muitas aplicações relacionadas à caracterização de materiais, recentemente, a técnica PAS vem sendo desenvolvida para estudos de transição de fase de segunda ordem. Entretanto, poucos trabalhos são encontrados na literatura com relação à aplicação da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é o de aplicar a técnica PAS na determinação da temperatura de transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos, de uma maneira inovadora com relação à célula fotoacústica e ao sistema de aquecimento. Para isso foi projetada e construída uma célula fotoacústica que possibilita a variação de temperatura da amostra, sem afetar a curva de resposta do microfone. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de aquecimento baseado no efeito Peltier, possibilitando fazer rampas de subida de temperatura, com várias velocidades, da temperatura ambiente até 130 C, de forma linear. Todo o aparato experimental foi testado e aplicado em várias amostras poliméricas: poliamida 6.0 (Nylon); poliestireno (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); e poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). Os resultados obtidos foram: para o Nylon, ; para o PS-n1921, ; para o PS-n2380, ; e para o PET, . Estes resultados estão de acordo com os respectivos valores da temperatura de transição vítrea encontrados na literatura e mostram a potencialidade da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos. / Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is a non-destructive technique and it has been largely applied to the thermal and optical characterization of materials. PAS technique is based on the photoacoustic effect which consist, basically, absorption of a modulated electromagnetic radiation and generation of heat inside of the material studied (sample), by a nonradiative deexcitation processes. Nowadays, among many PAS applications, effort are carried out to apply PAS technique for second-order phase transitions. However, only a few works can be found in the literature about glass transition studies with PAS technique. In this context, the main goal of this work is to apply PAS technique to determine glass transition temperature of the polymeric materials, based on the new photoacoustic cell configuration and on the new heating system. In this way, a photoacoustic cell was builted up for monitoring temperature variation of the sample, where the performance of the microphone was not affected. A heating system was developed based on the Peltier effect, in such way that it is possible to scan the temperature from the environment one up to 130 C, linearly at several speeds. The experimental apparatus was tested and applied to some polymeric materials: polyamide 6.0 (Nylon); polystyrene (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); and poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). The results obtained were: Nylon, ; PS-n1921, ; PS-n2380, ; and PET, . These results are in a good agreement with the respective values of glass transition temperature found in the literature and show the PAS technique potentiality for glass transition studies in polymeric materials.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Photoacoustic Imaging is a non-invasive optical imaging modality used to image biological tissues. In this method, a pulsating laser illuminates a region of tissues to be imaged, which then generates an acoustic wave due to thermal volume expansion. This wave is then sensed using an acoustic sensor such as a piezoelectric transducer and the resultant signal is converted into an imaging using the back projection algorithm. Since different types of tissues have different photo-acoustic properties, this imaging modality can be used for imaging different types of tissues and bodily organ systems. This study aims at quantifying the process of light conversion into the acoustic signal. Light travels through tissues and gets attenuated (scattered or absorbed) or reflected depending on the optical properties of the tissues. The process of light propagation through tissues is studied using Monte Carlo simulation software which predicts the propagation of light through tissues of various shapes and with different optical properties. This simulation gives the resultant energy distribution due to light absorption and scattering on a voxel by voxel basis. The Monte Carlo code alone is not sufficient to validate the photon propagation. The success of the Monte Carlo code depends on accurate prediction of the optical properties of the tissues. It also depends on accurately depicting tissue boundaries and thus the resolution of the imaging space. Hence, a validation algorithm has been designed so as to recover the optical properties of the tissues which are imaged and to successfully validate the simulation results. The accuracy of the validation code is studied for various optical properties and boundary conditions. The results are then compared and validated with real time images obtained from the photoacoustic scanner. The various parameters for the successful validation of Monte Carlo method are studied and presented. This study is then validated using the algorithm to study the conversion of light to sound. Thus it is a significant step in the quantification of the photoacoustic effect so as to accurately predict tissue properties.