Photoacoustic calorimetry: a new cell design and improved analysis algorithms

A new cell design has been developed for use in photoacoustic calorimetry. In contrast to previous designs, this cell has a hundred‐fold better sensitivity (signal/energy absorbed), allows measurements to be made on optically thick solutions, allows greater laser pulse energy to be used (with consequent increase in signal levels), allows greater time resolution of transient decays in the time regime below 100 ns, and reduces the effects of reflections. The determination of photophysical parameters by use of photoacoustic calorimetry requires iterative reconvolution, and improved algorithms for these processes are presented.