Micron scale photothermal imaging

In this paper, we present various experimental results which demonstrate th e ability of photothermal methods to perform heat diffusion imaging at the micron scale. Photoreflectance microscopy measurements have been performed on a composite sample presenting a strong anisotropy of thermal properties and on microelectronic: devices. We will then introduce the CCD array photo thermal microscopy which permits the acquisition of a complete image in a s ingle shot, without moving the sample. A stroboscopic technique must be use d in order to adjust to the relatively low frame rate of the CCD camera, We will discuss two cases: homodyne and heterodyne detection. (C) 2000 Editio ns scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.