PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to reduce artifacts caused by projection of measuring light during photoacoustic measurement with a probe.SOLUTION: An acoustic wave detection probe 11 comprises: a light projection section 42 for emitting measuring light L to be projected onto a subject M an acoustic wave transducer 51 disposed in the proximity of the light projection section 42 and capable of detecting an acoustic wave U an acoustic lens 53 disposed on a detection side of the acoustic wave transducer 51 and a housing 44 for accommodating the light projection section, the acoustic wave transducer, and the acoustic lens. The acoustic lens 53 and a surface portion of the housing 44 in the proximity of the acoustic lens 53 are configured to have such optical properties that the average diffuse reflection factor is 85% or more and the average absorption factor is 10% or less in a wavelength range of the measuring light L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
