Thermal-diffusivity measurement in low thermal-conductivity solids by a transient heating method

A simple method for thermal-diffusivity measurement in low thermal-conductivity solids is proposed on a basis of the analytical solution of the heat diffusion equation for a solid plate with uniform continuous heating at one of its surfaces. The method involves combined measurements of the temperature evolution at both the front (illuminated) and rear surfaces of the sample in both the thermally thin and thick regimes. The principal advantage of the method is its independence on a knowledge of the convection and radiation heat loss coefficient, and hence, the non-necessity of performing measurements in blackbody similar samples under vacuum conditions. If these conditions are achieved, the thermal conductivity and specific (volume) heat capacity could also be achieved.