Measurement of microscale bio-thermal responses by means of a micro-thermocouple probe

We developed a micro-thermocouple probe in order to measure the thermal responses of a cell. A micropipette with a tip 1 /spl mu/m diameter was used for the base of the probe. A Pt/Au junction was constructed on the tip. The average thermoelectric power of the probe was 2.1 /spl mu/V/K. The temperature and time resolutions of the probe were investigated by using a laser beam to irradiate the tip.