J. R. D. Pereira

Thermal lens scanning of the glass transition in polymers

In this article we discuss the use of the thermal lens technique for investigating the thermal properties of polymers as a function of temperature. It is also discussed how the experimentally determined thermal lens parameters can be used to locate the glass transition in polymers. The methodology is tested using a solution casted films of poly(vinyl chloride) as a testing sample. A comparison with conventional differential scanning calorimetry data is made. It is proposed that the current transient thermal lens methodology, with minor changes in its experimental configuration, could be adapted to develop a new methodology called differential thermal lens scanning especially designed for the investigation of the phase transitions in polymers. It is shown that this new methodology could be equally used for the measurement of the thermal expansion coefficient, above and below the glass transition.

Real-time quantitative investigation of photochemical reaction using thermal lens measurements: Theory and experiment

In this work the time-resolved mode-mismatched thermal lens method is applied to investigate Cr(VI) species in water. An abnormal behavior of the thermal lens transient induced by a photochemical reaction was observed during optical excitation. With the purpose of better understanding this phenomenon, the existing theoretical model of thermal lens effect was generalized in order to take the time dependence of the absorbance of the sample into account due to the changes in concentration resulting from photochemical reaction and diffusion of absorbing species. Consequently, the photochemical reaction rate can be quantitatively evaluated by this technique with the generalized model. The adopted procedure demonstrates the usefulness of the time-resolved thermal lens method for the study of photochemical reactions under the presence of absorbing species diffusion with the advantage of monitoring the processes in a quantitative way and with a temporal resolution of a few milliseconds.

Temperature dependence of the thermo-optical properties of water determined by thermal lens spectrometry

The high transparency of water makes conventional spectroscopic measurements very difficult to be performed. In this work thermal lens spectrometry is applied to determine the temperature dependence of the thermo-optical properties of distilled and de-ionized water. The experiments were performed in the temperature range between 22 and 70 °C using the mode mismatched thermal lens configuration. The results showed three anomalous regions for the thermo-optical coefficients around 39, 42, and 59 °C. These observations may contribute to a better understanding of the physical and chemical properties of water.

Time resolved thermal lens in edible oils

In this work time resolved thermal lens spectrometry is applied to investigate the optical properties of the following edible oils: soya, sunflower, canola, and corn oils. The experiments were performed at room temperature using the mode mismatched thermal lens configuration. The results showed that when the time resolved procedure is adopted the technique can be applied to investigate the photosensitivity of edible oils. Soya oil presented a stronger photochemical reaction as compared to the other investigated samples. This observation may be relevant for future studies evaluating edible oils storage conditions and also may contribute to a better understanding of the physical and chemical properties of this important foodstuff.

Overlap of the intrinsic and extrinsic magnetoelectric effects in BiFeO3-PbTiO3 compounds: Potentialities for magnetic-sensing applications

The potentialities of BiFeO3-PbTiO3 multiferroic compounds for magnetic-field sensing applications is investigated by characterizing the dynamical magnetoelectric response of La doped (0.6)BiFeO3-(0.4)PbTiO3 piezoceramics. The results are compared with those obtained in Nb doped (1 wt. %) PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT-5A) piezoceramics and the observed non-linearity of the oscillating voltage response of (0.6)BiFeO3-(0.4)PbTiO3 piezoceramics is attributed to the overlapping of the intrinsic and extrinsic magnetoelectric effects that were successfully decoupled by analyzing the in-phase and out-of-phase voltage components relative to applied oscillating magnetic field. For an alternating cosine-like magnetic field of 0.32 Oe, at the piezoelectric resonance frequency (184.2 kHz), the alternating voltage response decreases from 7.77 mV, at −10 kOe, to 2.71 mV, at 1.8 kOe, to subsequently increases until 5.97 mV at 10 kOe. This non-linear voltage response, which can be easily converted into a linear signal by using the phase difference, can be used for static magnetic field sensing in a wide range of magnetic fields.The potentialities of BiFeO3-PbTiO3 multiferroic compounds for magnetic-field sensing applications is investigated by characterizing the dynamical magnetoelectric response of La doped (0.6)BiFeO3-(0.4)PbTiO3 piezoceramics. The results are compared with those obtained in Nb doped (1 wt. %) PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT-5A) piezoceramics and the observed non-linearity of the oscillating voltage response of (0.6)BiFeO3-(0.4)PbTiO3 piezoceramics is attributed to the overlapping of the intrinsic and extrinsic magnetoelectric effects that were successfully decoupled by analyzing the in-phase and out-of-phase voltage components relative to applied oscillating magnetic field. For an alternating cosine-like magnetic field of 0.32 Oe, at the piezoelectric resonance frequency (184.2 kHz), the alternating voltage response decreases from 7.77 mV, at −10 kOe, to 2.71 mV, at 1.8 kOe, to subsequently increases until 5.97 mV at 10 kOe. This non-linear voltage response, which can be easily converted into a linear signal by using t...

Thermal lens temperature scanning for quantitative measurements in complex fluids

In this work thermal lens spectrometry is applied to investigate the thermo-optical properties of complex fluids as a function of the temperature. The method is applied in poly(vinyl chloride), in polycarbonate and in lyotropic liquid crystals as the testing samples. The focus of the discussion will be in the temperature range where the phase transitions occur. The perspective of future studies in this area will be discussed.

Thermo Optical Properties of Transparent PLZT 10/65/35 Ceramics

In this work thermal lens spectrometry, thermal relaxation calorometry and optical interferometry were employed to determine the thermo-optical properties of transparent PLZT 10/65/35 ceramics. The thermal diffusivity, the specific heat and the temperature coefficient of the optical path length change were determined. These parameters are important to obtain the figure of merit of this material in terms of its application as optical components used under high power laser excitation.

Time-resolved thermal lens determination of the thermo-optical coefficients in Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet as a function of temperature

In this work, time-resolved thermal lens measurements are carried out in Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser crystal as a function of temperature. The temperature coefficient of the optical path length, the thermal diffusivity, and the thermal conductivity were determined in the temperature range between 22°C and 180°C. In addition, the specific heat was measured by the thermal relaxation method in the same temperature range. The results showed that the thermal conductivity and the temperature coefficient of the optical path length are responsible for the strong increase of the thermal lens amplitude when the sample temperature was increased. These results suggest that the time resolved procedure is useful in the study of laser materials and may be an important tool for laser designers.

Study of layered and defective amorphous solids by means of thermal wave method

In this work the thermal properties and the thickness calibration in layered thick acrylic films using the thermal wave method are reported. The results from acrylic films on two different substrates showed that thermal diffusivity and conductivity can be measured for both supports, metallic and glassy. The experimental applicability of a 1-D model and accuracy of the thickness measurement are also discussed.

Thermal lens temperature scanning for quantitative measurements in transparent materials (invited)

In this work the ability of thermal lens spectrometry for different temperature studies in transparent materials is discussed. The method was applied in polymers and optical glasses to measure the thermo-optical properties as a function of the temperature. The focus of the discussion will be on the temperature range where the glass transition occurs. The perspectives of future studies in this area will be discussed.