Development of photoacoustic spectroscopy with a piezofilm

We have developed photoacoustic spectroscopy with a piezofilm. A piezofilm is a piezoelectric element made from plastic polyvinylidene fluoride having piezoelectrical effect. Photoacoustic spectra (375-675 nm) of water, dye aqueous solution, and benzene, are measured with a xenon lamp. The piezofilm is directly immersed in the liquid samples for sensitive detection of the signal. The sensitivity of the method is shown to be as high as for photothermal deflection spectroscopy. Compared with the conventional methods such as photoacoustic spectroscopy with a piezoceramic and photothermal spectroscopy with a double beam configuration, the present method is favorable from its handy and simpler experimental setup.