There is provided a method for sensing a sample. The method includes the following steps: first a light beam is directed onto the sample. The sample transmits at least a portion of the light beam to form a transmitted light beam. Next, the transmitted light beam is received at an acoustic transducer. The acoustic transducer absorbs at least a portion of the transmitted light beam and in response generated an acoustic wave. Subsequently, an electrical signal is generated at the acoustic transducer. The electrical signal is generated based on at least a portion of the acoustic wave.