Understanding the relationship between the structure and properties of materials is fundamental in materials science. Transient grating spectroscopy (TGS) is an advanced ultrafast laser-based technique that generates thermal gratings and surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on the surface of a sample, enabling direct measurement of thermal, elastic, and dynamic properties. This review begins with an introduction to its optical setup and sample requirements, followed by detailing the fundamental principles and signal processing methodologies of TGS. The review then explores the practical applications of TGS through thermal grating and SAWs, highlighting its multifunctional capabilities with advanced configurations. Finally, the review addresses the current limitations of TGS and presents an outlook on its potential, emphasizing its promising role in advancing the study of thermal energy materials.
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