Non-fluid acoustic coupling

A device for reflection mode acoustic microscopy of an object, wherein the object is substantially immersed in a medium having an acoustic conductance that essentially does not conduct acoustic signals in the 1 to 200 MHz frequency range, the device comprising:

• an acoustic transducer assembly adapted to emit and receive acoustic signals that are approximately in the 1 to 200 MHz frequency range;
• and
• a solid acoustic coupler attached to the acoustic transducer assembly adapted to carry acoustic signals in the 1 to 200 MHz frequency range, wherein the solid acoustic coupler defines a solid body having a contact end adapted to contact an area of a surface of the object, whereby acoustic signals are carried between the acoustic transducer assembly and the object through the contact end.

A method for examining the internal structure of a material using reflection mode scanning acoustic microscopy, the method comprising the steps of:

• touching a first end of an acoustic coupler to a point on a surface of the material, wherein the acoustic coupler includes a second end that is opposed to the first end, and the second end of the acoustic coupler is attached to a first end of an acoustic transducer, and wherein the acoustic coupler is adapted to carry acoustic signals that are approximately in the 1 to 200 MHz frequency range between the first and second ends of the acoustic coupler;
• emitting an acoustic signal from the first end of the acoustic transducer, wherein the emitted acoustic signal is approximately in the 1 to 200 MHz frequency range;
• receiving at the acoustic transducer assembly a reflected acoustic signal, which is a reflection of the emitted acoustic signal, wherein a change in the acoustic impedance of the material reflects at least a portion of the emitted acoustic signal, and the reflected signal is carried by the acoustic coupler to the first end of the transducer.