Method and apparatus for identifying and characterizing a material

Photothermal effects of a material (10) may be detected and analyzed in order to identify and characterize the material (10). The material (10) is illuminated by a light (32) from a light source (34). The material (10) absorbs the light (32), causing an increase in temperature and size of the material (10). An atomic force probe tip (30) detects the increase in temperature and size of the material (10) in order to determine characteristic properties of the material (10). The characteristic properties of the material (10) are used in identifying the nature of the material (10).