US 12,228,503 B2
Photothermal imaging device and system
Zhongming Li, Notre Dame, IN (US); Gregory Hartland, Granger, IN (US); and Masaru Ken Kuno, Notre Dame, IN (US)
Assigned to University of Notre Dame du Lac, South Bend, IN (US)
Filed by University of Notre Dame du Lac, South Bend, IN (US)
Filed on Jan. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/149,245.
Application 18/149,245 is a continuation of application No. 16/877,152, filed on May 18, 2020, granted, now 11,592,391.
Application 16/877,152 is a continuation of application No. 15/480,218, filed on Apr. 5, 2017, granted, now 10,677,722, issued on Jun. 9, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/318,698, filed on Apr. 5, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0160817 A1, May 25, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 21/3563 (2014.01); G01J 3/28 (2006.01); G01N 21/17 (2006.01); G01N 21/35 (2014.01); G01Q 30/02 (2010.01); G01Q 60/34 (2010.01)
CPC G01N 21/3563 (2013.01) [G01J 3/2823 (2013.01); G01N 21/171 (2013.01); G01N 21/35 (2013.01); G01Q 30/02 (2013.01); G01Q 60/34 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1712 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1714 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for detecting infrared light absorption in a sample, the method comprising:
a) illuminating a region of the sample with a pump beam generated by a first light source, wherein at least a portion of the pump beam is absorbed by the region of the sample;
b) illuminating the region of the sample with a probe beam generated by a second light source, wherein the probe beam has a wavelength shorter than the pump beam and a Gaussian beam width of less than 2.33 micrometers;
c) collecting, by a detector, a portion of the probe beam coming from the region of the sample as collected light; and
d) analyzing the collected light to construct a signal indicative of infrared absorption by the region of the sample.