A THICK-FILM PYROELECTRIC PLZT CERAMIC SENSOR

A thick-film preparation method and examples of the action of a pyroel ectric lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) thick-film sensor are described. Ceramic powders for thick-film PLZT paste production are pr epared by a chemical method, starting with lead oxide, solutions of zi rconium oxynitrate and lanthanum nitrate and titanium dioxide complexe d with hydrogen peroxide. A PLZT 12/40/60 powder composition is used. A thick-film paste is obtained by mixing PLZT powder with an organic v ehicle. The films are printed on alumina substrates with a thick-film platinum bottom electrode and fired. A thin silver-palladium layer is applied as a top electrode. The dielectric properties of the thick-fil m PLZT layers as a function of temperature are measured. The propertie s of the samples prepared under various conditions are compared with e ach other and with those made from bulk PLZT ceramics. The response of the thick-film pyroelectric detector reaches 80% of that of the bulk- material detector.