A rapid laser device method for thermal analysis of a substance based on the laser-driven thermal reactor (RHTR) is disclosed. Substances that can be analyzed are solids, liquids, including various multiphase and multicomponent inhomogeneous substances. The RHTR measures an integrated thermal response, representing the effects of multiple thermal and chemical properties. The RHTR makes these measurements in a dynamic environment that is characteristic of real-world conditions where temperatures are changing rapidly.