In this paper we present for the first time results of the application
of the modulated photothermal reflectance technique to porous silicon
(PS) samples with various degrees of porosity obtained by means of el
ectrochemical dissolution of p(-) and p(+) c-Si substrates. Frequency
scans yield results which are strongly related to the thermal conducti
vity, carrier lifetime and surface recombination velocity of PS. A mod
el accounting for these effects has been developed in order to yield a
quantitative evaluation of parameters which are of capital importance
in both the physics and technology of PS.