© 2026 Optics and Photonics at Nottingham
Publications
in Top 10% Journal Percentiles
43%
Global
Partnerships
56.3%
Corporate
Collaboration
8.8%
Annual research
funding
£5m+
Data for 2020-2025 from SciVal
Selected Publications
2023
3.
Pérez-Cota, Fernando; Martínez-Arellano, Giovanna; 3rd La Cavera, Salvatore; Hardiman, William; Thornton, Luke; Fuentes-Domínguez, Rafael; Smith, Richard J; McIntyre, Alan; Clark, Matt
Classification of cancer cells at the sub-cellular level by phonon microscopy using deep learning Journal Article
In: Sci. Rep., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 16228, 2023.
Abstract | Tags: Deep learning, Machine learning, microscopy, Phonon microscopy
@article{Perez-Cota2023-nu,
title = {Classification of cancer cells at the sub-cellular level by phonon microscopy using deep learning},
author = {Fernando P\'{e}rez-Cota and Giovanna Mart\'{i}nez-Arellano and Salvatore 3rd La Cavera and William Hardiman and Luke Thornton and Rafael Fuentes-Dom\'{i}nguez and Richard J Smith and Alan McIntyre and Matt Clark},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-09-01},
urldate = {2023-09-01},
journal = {Sci. Rep.},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {16228},
publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},
abstract = {There is a consensus about the strong correlation between the
elasticity of cells and tissue and their normal, dysplastic, and
cancerous states. However, developments in cell mechanics have
not seen significant progress in clinical applications. In this
work, we explore the possibility of using phonon acoustics for
this purpose. We used phonon microscopy to obtain a measure of
the elastic properties between cancerous and normal breast
cells. Utilising the raw time-resolved phonon-derived data (300
k individual inputs), we employed a deep learning technique to
differentiate between MDA-MB-231 and MCF10a cell lines. We
achieved a 93% accuracy using a single phonon measurement in a
volume of approximately 2.5 μm3. We also investigated means
for classification based on a physical model that suggest the
presence of unidentified mechanical markers. We have
successfully created a compact sensor design as a proof of
principle, demonstrating its compatibility for use with needles
and endoscopes, opening up exciting possibilities for future
applications.},
keywords = {Deep learning, Machine learning, microscopy, Phonon microscopy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
There is a consensus about the strong correlation between the
elasticity of cells and tissue and their normal, dysplastic, and
cancerous states. However, developments in cell mechanics have
not seen significant progress in clinical applications. In this
work, we explore the possibility of using phonon acoustics for
this purpose. We used phonon microscopy to obtain a measure of
the elastic properties between cancerous and normal breast
cells. Utilising the raw time-resolved phonon-derived data (300
k individual inputs), we employed a deep learning technique to
differentiate between MDA-MB-231 and MCF10a cell lines. We
achieved a 93% accuracy using a single phonon measurement in a
volume of approximately 2.5 μm3. We also investigated means
for classification based on a physical model that suggest the
presence of unidentified mechanical markers. We have
successfully created a compact sensor design as a proof of
principle, demonstrating its compatibility for use with needles
and endoscopes, opening up exciting possibilities for future
applications.
elasticity of cells and tissue and their normal, dysplastic, and
cancerous states. However, developments in cell mechanics have
not seen significant progress in clinical applications. In this
work, we explore the possibility of using phonon acoustics for
this purpose. We used phonon microscopy to obtain a measure of
the elastic properties between cancerous and normal breast
cells. Utilising the raw time-resolved phonon-derived data (300
k individual inputs), we employed a deep learning technique to
differentiate between MDA-MB-231 and MCF10a cell lines. We
achieved a 93% accuracy using a single phonon measurement in a
volume of approximately 2.5 μm3. We also investigated means
for classification based on a physical model that suggest the
presence of unidentified mechanical markers. We have
successfully created a compact sensor design as a proof of
principle, demonstrating its compatibility for use with needles
and endoscopes, opening up exciting possibilities for future
applications.
2.
Fuentes-Domínguez, Rafael; Yao, Mengting; Hardiman, William; Cavera, Salvatore Iii La; Setchfield, Kerry; Pérez-Cota, Fernando; Smith, Richard J; Clark, Matt
Parallel imaging with phonon microscopy using a multi-core fibre bundle detection Journal Article
In: Photoacoustics, vol. 31, no. 100493, pp. 100493, 2023.
Abstract | Tags: Parallel measurements, Phonon microscopy, Picosecond ultrasonics, Time-domain Brillouin scattering
@article{Fuentes-Dominguez2023-ls,
title = {Parallel imaging with phonon microscopy using a multi-core fibre
bundle detection},
author = {Rafael Fuentes-Dom\'{i}nguez and Mengting Yao and William Hardiman and Salvatore Iii La Cavera and Kerry Setchfield and Fernando P\'{e}rez-Cota and Richard J Smith and Matt Clark},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-01},
journal = {Photoacoustics},
volume = {31},
number = {100493},
pages = {100493},
publisher = {Elsevier BV},
abstract = {In this paper, we show a proof-of-concept method to parallelise
phonon microscopy measurements for cell elasticity imaging by
demonstrating a 3-fold increase in acquisition speed which is
limited by current acquisition hardware. Phonon microscopy is
based on time-resolved Brillouin scattering, which uses a
pump-probe method with asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) to
generate and detect coherent phonons. This enables access to the
cell elasticity via the Brillouin frequency with sub-optical
axial resolution. Although systems based on ASOPS are typically
faster compared to the ones built with a mechanical delay line,
they are still very slow to study real time changes at the
cellular level. Additionally, the biocompatibility is reduced
due to long light exposure and scanning time. Using a multi-core
fibre bundle rather than a single channel for detection, we
acquire 6 channels simultaneously allowing us to speed-up
measurements, and open a way to scale-up this method.},
keywords = {Parallel measurements, Phonon microscopy, Picosecond ultrasonics, Time-domain Brillouin scattering},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this paper, we show a proof-of-concept method to parallelise
phonon microscopy measurements for cell elasticity imaging by
demonstrating a 3-fold increase in acquisition speed which is
limited by current acquisition hardware. Phonon microscopy is
based on time-resolved Brillouin scattering, which uses a
pump-probe method with asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) to
generate and detect coherent phonons. This enables access to the
cell elasticity via the Brillouin frequency with sub-optical
axial resolution. Although systems based on ASOPS are typically
faster compared to the ones built with a mechanical delay line,
they are still very slow to study real time changes at the
cellular level. Additionally, the biocompatibility is reduced
due to long light exposure and scanning time. Using a multi-core
fibre bundle rather than a single channel for detection, we
acquire 6 channels simultaneously allowing us to speed-up
measurements, and open a way to scale-up this method.
phonon microscopy measurements for cell elasticity imaging by
demonstrating a 3-fold increase in acquisition speed which is
limited by current acquisition hardware. Phonon microscopy is
based on time-resolved Brillouin scattering, which uses a
pump-probe method with asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) to
generate and detect coherent phonons. This enables access to the
cell elasticity via the Brillouin frequency with sub-optical
axial resolution. Although systems based on ASOPS are typically
faster compared to the ones built with a mechanical delay line,
they are still very slow to study real time changes at the
cellular level. Additionally, the biocompatibility is reduced
due to long light exposure and scanning time. Using a multi-core
fibre bundle rather than a single channel for detection, we
acquire 6 channels simultaneously allowing us to speed-up
measurements, and open a way to scale-up this method.
2021
1.
Smith, Richard J; Pérez-Cota, Fernando; Marques, Leonel; Clark, Matt
3D phonon microscopy with sub-micron axial-resolution Journal Article
In: Sci. Rep., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 3301, 2021.
Abstract | Tags: 3D imaging, microscopy, Phonon microscopy
@article{Smith2021-jd,
title = {3D phonon microscopy with sub-micron axial-resolution},
author = {Richard J Smith and Fernando P\'{e}rez-Cota and Leonel Marques and Matt Clark},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-02-01},
urldate = {2021-02-01},
journal = {Sci. Rep.},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {3301},
publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},
abstract = {Brillouin light scattering (BLS) is an emerging method for cell
imaging and characterisation. It allows elasticity-related
contrast, optical resolution and label-free operation. Phonon
microscopy detects BLS from laser generated coherent phonon
fields to offer an attractive route for imaging since, at GHz
frequencies, the phonon wavelength is sub-optical. Using phonon
fields to image single cells is challenging as the signal to
noise ratio and acquisition time are often poor. However, recent
advances in the instrumentation have enabled imaging of fixed
and living cells. This work presents the first experimental
characterisation of phonon-based axial resolution provided by
the response to a sharp edge. The obtained axial resolution is
up to 10 times higher than that of the optical system used to
take the measurements. Validation of the results are obtained
with various polymer objects, which are in good agreement with
those obtained using atomic force microscopy. Edge localisation,
and hence profilometry, of a phantom boundary is measured with
accuracy and precision of approximately 60 nm and 100 nm
respectively. Finally, 3D imaging of fixed cells in culture
medium is demonstrated.},
keywords = {3D imaging, microscopy, Phonon microscopy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Brillouin light scattering (BLS) is an emerging method for cell
imaging and characterisation. It allows elasticity-related
contrast, optical resolution and label-free operation. Phonon
microscopy detects BLS from laser generated coherent phonon
fields to offer an attractive route for imaging since, at GHz
frequencies, the phonon wavelength is sub-optical. Using phonon
fields to image single cells is challenging as the signal to
noise ratio and acquisition time are often poor. However, recent
advances in the instrumentation have enabled imaging of fixed
and living cells. This work presents the first experimental
characterisation of phonon-based axial resolution provided by
the response to a sharp edge. The obtained axial resolution is
up to 10 times higher than that of the optical system used to
take the measurements. Validation of the results are obtained
with various polymer objects, which are in good agreement with
those obtained using atomic force microscopy. Edge localisation,
and hence profilometry, of a phantom boundary is measured with
accuracy and precision of approximately 60 nm and 100 nm
respectively. Finally, 3D imaging of fixed cells in culture
medium is demonstrated.
imaging and characterisation. It allows elasticity-related
contrast, optical resolution and label-free operation. Phonon
microscopy detects BLS from laser generated coherent phonon
fields to offer an attractive route for imaging since, at GHz
frequencies, the phonon wavelength is sub-optical. Using phonon
fields to image single cells is challenging as the signal to
noise ratio and acquisition time are often poor. However, recent
advances in the instrumentation have enabled imaging of fixed
and living cells. This work presents the first experimental
characterisation of phonon-based axial resolution provided by
the response to a sharp edge. The obtained axial resolution is
up to 10 times higher than that of the optical system used to
take the measurements. Validation of the results are obtained
with various polymer objects, which are in good agreement with
those obtained using atomic force microscopy. Edge localisation,
and hence profilometry, of a phantom boundary is measured with
accuracy and precision of approximately 60 nm and 100 nm
respectively. Finally, 3D imaging of fixed cells in culture
medium is demonstrated.
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