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Thermal lensing approach based on parabolic approximation and Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Luis G Rodriguez1, Joseph Niemela2, Humberto Cabrera2
1Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Departamento de Física, Avenida Urbina, Portoviejo, 130105, Ecuador.
Heliyon
|October 4, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel thermal lensing method using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to accurately measure optical absorption and thermal diffusivity in pure solvents. The technique achieves high sensitivity, enabling precise material characterization.
Area of Science:
- Photothermal spectroscopy
- Optical metrology
- Laser-induced effects
Background:
- Accurate measurement of optical absorption and thermal transport properties is crucial for understanding solvent behavior.
- Existing thermal lensing methods and interferometry techniques offer complementary advantages for material characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a combined thermal lensing and Mach-Zehnder interferometry approach for precise solvent property measurement.
- To quantify optical absorption and thermal diffusivity coefficients in pure solvents.
Main Methods:
- A pump laser beam induces localized refractive index changes via the photothermal effect in the solvent.
- A Mach-Zehnder interferometer detects these changes as phase shifts in the interference pattern.
- Digital image processing and mathematical modeling are used to analyze phase-time transients and extract material properties.
Main Results:
- The developed method successfully measures optical absorption and thermal diffusivity coefficients.
- The experimental setup demonstrates high sensitivity, achieving a minimum phase difference measurement of approximately λ/4800.
Conclusions:
- The integrated thermal lensing and interferometry approach provides a sensitive and accurate method for characterizing pure solvents.
- This technique offers a valuable tool for optical and thermal property determination in various liquid samples.
