Ferroelectric ceramics for pyroelectric sensor

The pyroelectric effect has been employed since the early 60's. At the begi nning it was used mainly in the detection of radiation especially infrared and in laser power measurement as well as in solar energy technology. Today . the applications of pyroelectricity have become widespread: thermometers. anemometers, gas sensors, dosimeters, pollutions detectors, fires detector s, etc. A suitable material must have a large pyroelectric coefficient, a h igh resistivity, a relative small dielectric constant and low thermal capac ity. The aim of this report is the approaching to the main characteristics of a ferroelectric ceramic material to be used as pyroelectric sensor. The ceramic processing for obtaining the different samples is reported and the response of the preliminary detector is analyzed.