Serial imager for birefringent detector acoustic imaging systems

A serial imager product comprising:

• a computer-readable signal-bearing medium acting via a data processor connected to an imaging system having a birefringent detector having a first acousto-optic response and having a second acousto-optic response to acoustic energy which is from an acoustic energy source and which has interacted with an object;
• a first component of the medium, the first component causing recording of first data from the birefringent detector, the first data being caused by a first portion of the object attenuating first acoustic energy from the acoustic energy source along the first acousto-optic response, the first acoustic energy being incident on the birefringent detector through a first time interval;
• a second component of the medium, the second component causing recording of second data from the birefringent detector, the second data being caused by a second portion of the object attenuating second acoustic energy from the acoustic energy source along the second acousto-optic response, the second acoustic energy being incident on the birefringent detector through the first time interval and through a second time interval;
• and
• a combination component of the medium, the combination component causing combination of the first data and the second data, and the combination component causing output of image data representing combination of the first data and the second data.