New approaches to signal-to-noise ratio optimization in background-limited photothermal measurements

Patrick D. Rice; John B. Thorne; Donald R. Bobbitt

doi:10.1117/12.27403

1 July 1991 New approaches to signal-to-noise ratio optimization in background-limited photothermal measurements

Patrick D. Rice, John B. Thorne, Donald R. Bobbitt

Proceedings Volume 1435, Optical Methods for Ultrasensitive Detection and Analysis: Techniques and Applications; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.27403
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS) has demonstrated the ability to make sensitive measurements at the trace level and absorbance detectabilities approaching 2 X 10-7 cm-1 are possible. With proper experimental design it has recently been demonstrated that this same detectability can be achieved with TLS even in the presence of a background signal which is several orders- of-magnitude larger. The basis for this capability is a pump/probe differential thermal lens spectrometer which can effectively minimize the influence of the background signal on the photothermal measurement. The key experimental parameters will be described which allow sensitive measurements to be made under such limiting conditions. The system will be applied to the development of an indirect photothermal detection scheme for microcolumn HPLC and to the photothermal detection of circular dichroism.

Citation Download Citation

Patrick D. Rice, John B. Thorne, and Donald R. Bobbitt "New approaches to signal-to-noise ratio optimization in background-limited photothermal measurements", Proc. SPIE 1435, Optical Methods for Ultrasensitive Detection and Analysis: Techniques and Applications, (1 July 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.27403

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