STRUCTURE AND PYROELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF VACUUM-DEPOSITED THIN-FILMS OF ALKALI-METAL STEARATES

Structure and pyroelectric properties of K, Na and Li stearate films, obtained by vacuum deposition, were studied. IR-spectroscopy, X-ray di ffraction and electron microscopy reveal large difference in the molec ular ordering and orientation in these films. The values of the pyroel ectric coefficient gamma are also substantially distinct. The largest value of gamma equals to 1.10(-6) Coul m(-2) K-1 is observed for NaSt films. The manifestation of pyroelectricity in single-compound films i s ascribed to the appearance of uncompensated resulting dipole moment in the films due to variation of molecular orientation and ordering wi th the film thickness.