Anomalous effects of ultradilute impurities on heat diffusion in liquids

We analyze the applicability of transient thermal lens (TL) z-scan technique as a sensitive tool to measure heat diffusivity of liquids. Suitable dyes at very low concentrations were added to the host liquid to enhance the TL effect through improved optical absorption. We investigate if these dye impurities, besides improving light absorption, have any effect on the thermal properties of the host liquid. We find that even a trace amount of impurity significantly alters the thermal properties of a solvent. Time-evolution of TL showed pronounced asymmetry about laser focus revealing anomalous behavior in thermal blooming of the laser beam. Heat transport was strongly dependent on the rise in sample temperature by light absorption. Important effects of nonlinear heat transport in time-resolved TL z-scan experiments were revealed. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved