A photoacoustic remote sensing system (PARS) for imaging a subsurfacestructure in asample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals inthe sample at anexcitation location； an interrogation beam incident on the sample at theexcitation location, aportion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicativeof the generatedultrasonic signals； an optical system that focuses at least one of theexcitation beam and theinterrogation beam with a focal point that is below the surface of the sample；and a detector thatdetects the returning portion of the interrogation beam.
