Presents the theoretical basis and practical considerations required for successful applications of photothermal spectroscopy - a technique used in chemical analysis - to the analysis of samples. The systematic approach will result in a more complete understanding of why certain problems may be encountered in analytical applications and how the effects can either be avoided or compensated for. The information gathered to produce this description comes from many forms of analytical spectroscopy, measurement physics, physical optics, and chemical dynamics.

Author Biography

STEPHEN E. BIALKOWSKI is Professor of Chemical Analysis at Utah State University with interests in atmospheric chemistry, spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and chemometrics. He has been involved in major research projects for the National Science Foundation and other institutions; has published over fifty articles in professional journals; and has served as chairman for both the Utah Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.