Light and sound: Parallels and differences

Gijs van Soest*, Anton F.W. van der Steen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

Based on these definitions from Webster’s dictionary, one may wonder whether there is any similarity at all between light and sound. However, both sound and light are propagating waves that can be described using almost identical mathematical formulas. And both are used to a large extent in medicine, for diagnostic and curative purposes.

A common in the introduction of clinical manuscripts on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging is: ‘OCT is an imaging modality analogous to ultrasound, with the difference that light is used instead of sound1–8’, or a similar phrase. What is the meaning of that adage? In this chapter, we make an attempt to qualify the analogy between light and sound as medical imaging modalities, outlining the physics of the imaging processes and summarizing the practical aspects of the likenesses and distinctions between OCT and ultrasonic imaging.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Coherence Tomography in Cardiovascular Research
EditorsEvelyn Regar, A.M.G.J. van Leeuwen, Patrick W. Serruys
PublisherCRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group)
Chapter4
Pages43-49
Number of pages7
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9780203931561, 9780429224140
ISBN (Print)9781841846118
Publication statusPublished - 6 Mar 2007

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