Pyroelectric calorimeter for photothermal studies of thin films and adsorbates

Abstract

A pyroelectric calorimeter for studies of radiation induced thermal transients in thin films and at surfaces is described. The signal generation and detection process, as well as design criteria are briefly reviewed. Detailed data are presented whereby our design, which has found extensive utility, can be fabricated. This device is compatible with standard Inficon quartz microbalance hardware and provides a sensitivity of several nanojoules at a time resolution of <100 ns over a wide temperature and pressure range.