A photoacoustic remote sensing system (PARS) for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location； an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals； an optical system that focuses at least one of the excitation beam and the interrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample； and a detector that detects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.
