The 3-D theory of impulse response photothermal detection in opaque (i.e., photothermally saturated) solids through the dependence of the surface temperature optical reflectance on the mathematical equivalent of an optical impulse (the Green's function) is presented. The theory is extended to include the effects of the finite spatial extent of the photothermal laser source. Explicit expressions for the time-dependent temperature field have been obtained in the experimentally important cases of semi-infinite solids and solids of finite thickness in contact with thermally insulating or conducting backings.

© 1988 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription