A new method of parallel thermal wave imaging is demonstrated in which
the thermal wave image of a heated sample is converted into an optica
l phase image which is sensitively probed by a Twyman-Green interferom
eter. The sample is mounted onto an assembly of optical layers which a
cts as a temperature sensitive mirror. Heat conduction from the sample
to this mirror results in a two-dimensional distribution of optical p
hase which is probed broadfield by the interferometer. The resulting t
ransmission thermal wave image has characteristics analogous to those
of photopyroelectric images. The interferogram produced in the interfe
rometer may be recorded by videography, although rapid frame processin
g methods will be required for the full advantages of the method to be
realized. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.