Photoacoustic sensor for depth-resolved analysis of e.g. biological and laminated plastic layers

摘要

Photoacoustic sensor for depth-resolved analysis is new. Electromagnetic radiation is completely transmitted into the sample (2) under examination, through a body (1) contacting it. On the opposite side of the body, piezoelectric polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF) sheet (3) is embedded in an acoustically-homogenous epoxy unit. This includes both conductive- (7) and insulating- (9) epoxy. The body transmits acoustic waves to the PVDF. These are produced at differing depths in the sample, by electromagnetic radiation. The photoacoustic signal produced, is resolved over time, enabling contributions from each level to be identified. An Independent claim is included for use of the sensor.