Highly time resolved calorimetry using pyroelectric thin film electrets

The use of pyroelectric thin film electrets for calorimetry of transient heating processes is explored. A pyroelectric calorimeter which combines a time resolution of nanoseconds with a sensitivity of nanocalories is described. The versatility and the unique properties of this new type of device are demonstrated with several applications in spectroscopy and the thermal analysis of thin films. Data are presented on thermal properties of thin films and on phase transitions in optical recording materials during laser annealing. In addition results on spectroscopy of thin films and adsorbates are reported.