Sensitivity and accuracy analysis of pulse diffusivity measurements on layered samples

Measurement by the laser pulse technique of the thermal diffusivity of an unknown layer in a planar layered sample consisting of two or three materials requires knowledge of the thermal properties and thicknesses of the remaining sample layers. The sensitivity of the technique to uncertainties in the known parameters of the adjacent layers and applies the results of the sensitivity analysis to the topic of sample selection and assessment of the overall accuracy of the calculated thermal diffusivity are examined.