The pyroelectric detector of infrared radiation

The pyroelectric detector is a thermal sensor of infra-red radiation requiring no bias. While in principle a pure capacitor (hence theoretically noiseless), the detector has a varying noise contribution as a function of frequency due to a load resistor, series loss resistance, and amplifier. The actual sensor is a pyroelectric crystal exhibiting spontaneous polarization. The spontaneous polarization and dielectric constant of the crystal are temperature-dependent. A change in incident power raises the detector temperature causing an electric charge to appear across the electroded surfaces cut perpendicular to the crystal's ferroelectric axis. Under open circuit conditions, a voltage is obtained which is ultimately neutralized by current flow through the leakage resistance or load resistor. The evacuated detector package incorporates an electroded flake of triglycine sulfate mounted on a substrate of low thermal and electrical conductivity, a field effect transistor, load resistor, and an infrared transparent window. Data on the detectivity, responsivity, and noise as a function of frequency and area are presented. Polycrystalline pyroelectric detectors of TGS are feasible and simplify the construction of arrays and mosaics. Applications of the pyroelectric detector to date have been in a multielement line scanner, thermal imaging camera, spectrometer, and laser calorimeter.