Abstract: A method of determining a thermal conductivity and a thermal diffusivity of a material comprises exposing a specimen comprising a substrate of a material and a metallic film over the substrate to an amplitude modulated pump laser beam comprising electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength and a first modulation frequency to form a pump spot on the metallic film. The specimen is exposed to a probe laser beam comprising electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength to form a probe spot on the metallic film. A phase shift between the pump laser beam and a reflected probe laser beam is measured while scanning the pump spot relative to the probe spot. A modulation frequency of the pump laser beam is changed to a second modulation frequency and the pump spot is scanned relative to the probe spot while detecting the phase shift. A phase profile of the material is measured and a continuum-based model is fit to the phase profile. Related microscopes and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Neutron detectors for measuring a neutron yield of a neutron generator may include at least one particle counter disposed in a housing and at least one removable cartridge for receiving at least one collection medium. The at least one removable cartridge configured to be at least partially inserted into the housing to position the collection medium proximate the at least one particle counter. Detector assemblies for evaluating an output of a particle generator may include a housing and a plurality of cartridges that may be selectively received in the housing. Methods of detecting an output of a neutron source include inserting a collection medium into a cartridge, positioning the collection medium proximate a neutron source, and inserting the cartridge with the collection medium into a housing of a neutron yield detector.

Abstract: Neutron detectors for measuring a neutron yield of a neutron generator may include at least one particle counter disposed in a housing and at least one removable cartridge for receiving at least one collection medium. The at least one removable cartridge configured to be at least partially inserted into the housing to position the collection medium proximate the at least one particle counter. Detector assemblies for evaluating an output of a particle generator may include a housing and a plurality of cartridges that may be selectively received in the housing. Methods of detecting an output of a neutron source include inserting a collection medium into a cartridge, positioning the collection medium proximate a neutron source, and inserting the cartridge with the collection medium into a housing of a neutron yield detector.

Abstract: A method of determining a thermal conductivity and a thermal diffusivity of a material comprises exposing a specimen comprising a substrate of a material and a metallic film over the substrate to an amplitude modulated pump laser beam comprising electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength and a first modulation frequency to form a pump spot on the metallic film. The specimen is exposed to a probe laser beam comprising electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength to form a probe spot on the metallic film. A phase shift between the pump laser beam and a reflected probe laser beam is measured while scanning the pump spot relative to the probe spot. A modulation frequency of the pump laser beam is changed to a second modulation frequency and the pump spot is scanned relative to the probe spot while detecting the phase shift. A phase profile of the material is measured and a continuum-based model is fit to the phase profile. Related microscopes and related methods are also disclosed.