LASER OPTOACOUSTIC SPECTROSCOPY - FIGURES OF MERIT, AN UP-TO-DATE APPROACH

Optoacoustic (OA) detection apparatus can be used for analysis of vari ous optical absorbers in very dilute concentrations. Parameters of pul se OA spectroscopy as applied to highly transparent samples are derive d allowing to compare the potentialities to these of conventional abso rption methods. We consider a frequently used OA device based upon lin ear thermoelastic OA conversion. Practice of both amplitude and dynami c versions of OA method are discussed. The role of pure solvent contri bution is revealed. Useful estimates are provided.