Nanoscale thermometry for latent heat measurement
AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorsThomas W. Pfeifer, Sara H. Makarem, Patrick E. Hopkins
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Abstract
Characterizing the latent heat of fusion of a sample material can involve irradiating the sample material with laser light generated by a first laser, which includes elevating the temperature of the material to induce a phase transition between solid and liquid states. The method can also include measuring a property of the sample material during thermal arrests, which occur when the material transitions between these states. The composition of the sample material can be determined, e.g., by utilizing values corresponding to the amount of energy delivered to the sample material by the laser light and the properties measured during the thermal arrests.
Claims45
A method for characterization of latent heat of a phase change of a sample material, the method comprising:
- irradiating the sample material using laser light generated by a first laser, including:
- elevating a temperature of the material using the laser light;
- and
- establishing a transition between a solid state and a liquid state;
- and
- measuring a property of the sample material during at least one of:
- a thermal arrest occurring between the solid state and the liquid state, during which the laser light is being delivered;
- or
- the thermal arrest between liquid and solid state, during which the laser power is off or reduced.
A computing apparatus for characterization of latent heat of a phase change of a sample material, the computing apparatus including a processor and a memory apparatus, the memory apparatus including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing apparatus to:
- irradiate the sample material using laser light generated by a laser, including:
- elevating a temperature of the material using the laser light;
- and
- establishing a transition between a solid state and a liquid state;
- measure a property of the sample material during at least one of:
- a thermal arrest occurring between the solid state and the liquid state, during which the laser light is being delivered;
- or
- the thermal arrest between liquid and solid state, during which the laser power is off or reduced;
- and
- determine a composition of the sample material, using a value corresponding to an amount of energy delivered to the sample material by the laser light or the measured property of the sample material, or both.
A apparatus for characterization of latent heat of fusion of a sample material, the apparatus including:
- a first laser configured generate laser light for irradiating the sample material using laser light generated by a laser, including:
- elevating a temperature of the material using the laser light;
- and
- establishing a transition between a solid state and a liquid state;
- at least one sensor configured to measure a property of the sample material during at least one of:
- a thermal arrest occurring between the solid state and the liquid state, during which the laser light is being delivered;
- or
- the thermal arrest between liquid and solid state, during which the laser power is off or reduced;
- and
- processor circuitry configured to perform analysis of at least one of a value corresponding to an amount of energy delivered to the sample material by the laser light or the measured property of the sample material determine a composition of the sample material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.