Photoacoustic measurement of thermal properties of a thin polyester film

Abstract

The phase and the amplitude of the photoacoustic signal are measured as a function of chopping frequency for a thin polyester film, using two different backing materials (water and ethanol). Analysis of the results shows agreement with Rosencwaig–Gersho theory [J. Appl. Phys. 47, 64 (1976)] and provides values of the thermal diffusivity and the thermal effusivity of the sample.