Theory of photothermal spectroscopy in an optically dense fluid.
The theory of photothermal spectroscopy in an optically dense fluid is presented. The general case is considered in which the fluid may be flowing or stationary, and the excitation could be cw (modulated or unmodulated) or pulsed (arbitrary pulse length). All three detection schemes, deflection, phase shift, and lensing, are considered. This is the most complete theory of photothermal spectroscopy in fluids to date.