Pulsed photothermal modeling of layered materials

Abstract
Exact analytical solutions of the heat-diffusion problem encountered in the pulsed photothermal evaluation of layered materials are presented. The analysis relates to the long-time decay of the front face temperature following the absorption of a surface heat pulse. The configuration of a coating on a substrate is analyzed, and the parameters governing the temperature evolution are identified with a particular emphasis on the thermal contact resistance term. This model provides a new method of measuring the quality of the interface. Previously published data and new experiments with laminated materials and living tissues are analyzed using the proposed analytical solutions.