Preliminary Studies of Laser-Induced Thermal Emission Spectroscopy of Condensed Phases

Abstract

Laser-Induced Thermal Emission (LITE) spectroscopy is introduced as an analytical technique for condensed-phase specimens. In this technique, a laser beam is used to locally heat the specimen, and the mid-infrared thermal emission is observed. Two different materials and different thicknesses of each material were examined with LITE. The equilibrium temperature attained during a LITE measurement was estimated to be about 50°C. The advantages of LITE over conventional thermal emission are noted. The multiple dimensions of information present and some of the potential analytical applications of LITE are discussed.