PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoacoustic apparatus capable of acquiring more accurate subject information.SOLUTION: A photoacoustic apparatus includes: a light source emitting first and second lights； an irradiation unit that after generating a first acoustic wave from a subject by irradiating the first light from the light source to the subject containing a contrast agent, discolors the contrast agent in the subject by irradiating the second light from the light source to the subject containing the contrast agent, and after discoloring the contrast agent, generates a second acoustic wave from the subject by irradiating the first light from the light source to the subject； a reception unit for receiving the first acoustic wave and outputting a first electric signal, and for receiving a second acoustic wave and outputting a second electric signal； and an acquisition unit for acquiring first characteristic information on the subject based on the first electric signal, and acquiring second characteristic information on the subject based on the second electric signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1【課題】より正確な被検体情報を取得可能な光音響装置を提供する。【解決手段】第１および第２の光を発生する光源と、造影剤を含有する被検体に光源からの第１の光を照射することで被検体から第１の音響波を発生させた後、造影剤を含有する被検体に光源からの第２の光を照射することで被検体内の造影剤を退色させるとともに、造影剤を退色させた後、被検体に光源からの第１の光を照射することで被検体から第２の音響波を発生させる照射部と、第１の音響波を受信して第１の電気信号を出力するとともに、第２の音響波を受信して第２の電気信号を出力する受信部と、第１の電気信号に基づいて被検体の第１の特性情報を取得するとともに、第２の電気信号に基づいて被検体の第２の特性情報を取得する取得部と、を有する光音響装置を用いる。【選択図】図１
