Problem to be solved: to increase the freedom of light source selection in a photoacoustic apparatus.Solution: a light source that irradiates a plurality of wavelengths of light simultaneously or at different times, and an acoustic wave detecting means for receiving an acoustic wave generated in the subject due to the illuminated light and converting it into an electrical signal and at least taking the characteristic information of the subject based on the electrical signal Signal processing means.Diagram【課題】光音響装置において光源の選択自由度を広げる。【解決手段】被検体に複数の波長の光を同時、または異なる時刻に照射する光源と、前記照射された光に起因して前記被検体で発生した音響波を受信し、電気信号に変換する音響波検出手段と、前記電気信号に少なくとも基づいて、前記被検体の特性情報を取得する信号処理手段と、を有する。【選択図】図2
