In this paper, both theory and experimental setup of the photo-thermal technique are presented. Based on this technique, two measurement methodologies are available: phase shift method and temperature change method. However, only the experimental results from the phase shift method are presented in this paper. The measurements can be performed at any radial direction on a sample’s surface. This technique appears to be a successful method for measuring the variation of surface thermal diffusivity of various materials. An automated platform has also been developed and integrated into the technique to measure and map the variation of surface thermal diffusivity of a material. This technique can be used to detect any surface’s thermal defects of a material. It is also useful in studying the surface temperature distribution of a heat application material. One of its applications is on the study of friction. The temperature increase of a friction material subjected to a sliding process is influenced by its thermal property at the sliding interface. The thermal diffusivity mapping of a rubbing surface may help in predicting its surface temperature distribution and in studying the thermal behavior of a friction interface.