Modified Lead-zirconate-titanate for Pyroelectric Sensors

Abstract

Pyroelectric sensors based on ceramic materials have found applications in IR detection in defence and civil systems. To develop suitable ceramic material for IR detector applications, a modified PZT system with compositional formula Pb 1-x Sm x (Zr 0.58 Fe 0.18 Mn 0.02 Nb 0.2 Ti 0.02 )O 3 where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.025 was synthesised by conventional solid state reaction method. The materials were characterised for their properties like dielectric and pyroelectric coefficient. Hysteresis loop was recorded at room temperature. The sample with 2 mole per cent samarium (Sm) substitutions was found to be more promising for sensor application based on its high material's figure of merit (FOM). Sensors fabricated with this material were integrated with FET amplifier. The devices configured with compensating element were evaluated for different chopping frequencies. The value of material's FOM, F D , and detectivity, D*, were determined from measured parameters and were, 3.6 x 10 -5 Pa -1/2 and 2 x 10 8 cmHz 1/2 /W, respectively.