Cavity-enhanced resonant photoacoustic spectroscopy with optical feedback cw diode lasers: A novel technique for ultratrace gas analysis and high-resolution spectroscopy J. Chem. Phys. 133, 044308 (2010) Electromechanical probing of ionic currents in energy storage materials Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 222906 (2010) Broadening effects and ergodicity in deep level photothermal spectroscopy of defect states in semi-insulating GaAs: A combined temperature-, pulse-rate-, and time-domain study of defect state kinetics J. Appl. Phys. 105, 103712 (2009) Measurement of the redistribution of arsenic at nickel silicide/silicon interface by secondary ion mass spectrometry: artifact and optimized analysis conditions J. Appl. Phys. 104, 024313 (2008) Standoff photoacoustic spectroscopy Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 234102 (2008) Additional information on Rev. Sci. Instrum.The application of different types of acoustic resonators such as pipes, cylinders, and spheres in photoacoustics is considered. This includes a discussion of the fundamental properties of these resonant cavities. Modulated and pulsed laser excitation of acoustic modes is discussed. The theoretical and practical aspects of high-Q and low-Q resonators and their integration into complete photoacoustic detection systems for trace gas monitoring and metrology are covered in detail. The characteristics of the available laser sources and the performance of the photoacoustic resonators, such as signal amplification, are discussed. Setup properties and noise features are considered in detail. This review is intended to give newcomers the information needed to design and construct state-of-the-art photoacoustic detectors for specific purposes such as trace gas analysis, spectroscopy, and metrology.