A MODEL FOR OPTICAL SATURATION THERMAL LENS SPECTROMETRY

A model for thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) in partial optical saturat ion conditions is developed. The model predicts that optical saturatio n is approached to a significant degree in many TLS experiments, and t hat it can be reached to a high degree with the currently available la ser and optical technologies. When optical saturation is approached, t he sensitivity decreases and the signal depends on the rate constant o f the slowest step of the decay process. Important consequences for th e future development of photothermal spectrometric techniques can be d erived.