High impact on future research directions also by our investigations in the field of photothermal spectroscopy

Date of publication: 23. 8. 2017
News

The letter “Optimized frequency dependent photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy”, published by the co-workers of Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences Prof. Dr. Dorota Korte and Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko with co-authors in Laser Physics Letters, was chosen by the publisher in his Editorial "Highlights of 2016", as one of the three contributions with most impact in the field of Laser spectroscopy.

Dependence of the amplitude of BDS signal on modulation frequency for CuFeInTe3 sample in acetonitrile and air.
Dependence of the amplitude of BDS signal on modulation frequency for CuFeInTe3 sample in acetonitrile and air.

In the Editorial of the Vol. 14, No 8 of Laser Physics Letters the publisher underlines tremendous developments in laser technology and light sources over recent years that are pushing forward the frontiers of science. New applications across physics, biomedicine and industry are thriving due to technological progress. As a journal that presents the latest innovative research on advances in laser science, Laser Physics Letters supports progress in the discipline. In the Highlights of 2016 a selection of the top content published in volume 13 of the journal is showcased with a look forward to the next significant breakthrough.

In recognition of the high quality of articles, a selection of some of the most popular articles published by Laser Physics Letters throughout 2016 is presented, all of which are believed to have the potential to make a high impact on future research directions. Those chosen are recognised for their high-interest with readers and importance in the field.

Among the three highlighted contributions in the subject area of Laser spectroscopy we also find Optimized frequency dependent photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy by Prof. Dr. Dorota Korte and Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko with co-authors.

In the letter the optimization of the experimental setup for photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy (PBDS) is performed by analysing the influence of its geometrical parameters (detector and sample position, probe beam radius and its waist position etc.) on the detected signal. The analysis was performed by using the theoretical description based on the complex geometrical optics which we developed recently. Our research demonstrates, that it is a complex problem to choose the proper geometrical configuration as
well as sensing fluid to enhance the sensitivity of the PBDS technique. Up to 100-times signal enhancement was observed at low modulation frequencies by placing the sample in acetonitrile, while at high modulation frequencies the sensitivity is higher for measurements made in air. The examined sample was a recently developed CuFeInTe3 superparamagnetic semiconductor material, which is of interest also as thermoelectric material for heat pumping and power generating devices. The optimized PBDS enabled the first determination of CuFeInTe3 thermal properties such as thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity. Determination of thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials is particularly important because it is related to the thermoelectric figure of merit of the material. On the other hand, thermal diffusivity is related to the charge carrier density and is being currently investigated by PBDS in advanced materials such as topological insulators.

Link to the article: "http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1612-2011/13/12/125701"

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Andreja Leban
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E: andreja.leban@ung.si