Differential thermal analysis (DTA) is a technique that measures the temperature difference between a sample and an inert reference material as they are heated or cooled under identical conditions. Any structural or chemical changes in the sample, such as fusion, melting, crystallization or decomposition, are detected as differences in temperature compared to the reference. DTA provides a characteristic "fingerprint" curve for a material and can identify physical and chemical changes. The technique is useful for determining sample purity and studying decomposition reactions.