Photoacoustic and Photothermal Spectroscopy: Principles and Applications introduces the basic principles and instrumentation as well as the major developments in the many applications of Photoacoustic and Photothermal Spectroscopy over the last three decades. It explains the processes of sound generation by periodic optical excitation and ultrasonic generation by pulsed laser excitation and describes in detail the working of photoacoustic cells equipped with microphones and piezoelectric transducers. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is one of the fastest-growing imaging modalities of recent times. It combines the advantages of ultrasound and optical imaging techniques. These noninvasive and nondestructive techniques offer many benefits to users by enabling:

• spectroscopy of opaque and inhomogeneous materials, (solid, liquid, powder, gel, gases) without any sample preparation.
• trace detection of impurities--of great importance in Environmental Science.
• determination of thermal conductivity and phase transitions in solids.
• laser-induced ultrasound imaging of inhomogeneous materials, including tissue
• analysis of surfaces and thin films to reveal microstructures.

Photoacoustic and Photothermal Spectroscopy first introduces the basic physics and instrumentation, then goes on to describe all aspects of photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), then photothermal spectroscopy (PTS). The following sections dive into PAS and PTS applications in materials science, environmental monitoring, homeland security, agriculture and food, and life science and biomedical science. No other book covers the fundamentals as well as these broad applications in a single source. This book will be a valuable resource for a wide range of readers working in different fields, including physics, analytical chemistry and spectroscopy, environmental science, healthcare, and engineering.