Pyroelectric devices are now widely used in the detection of infrared (IR)
radiation in the two "atmospheric window" bands of 3-5 mu m and 8-14 mu m i
n a huge range of products ranging from fire alarms to intruder detectors,
in instrumentation such as gas analysis and laser beam characterisation and
in military/paramilitary applications such as thermal imaging. This paper
briefly reviews the criteria for the selection of pyroelectric materials an
d discusses the properties of both bulk materials and thin films in the par
ticular context of their application to uncooled thermal imaging. The prese
nt state of development of thermal imaging arrays and cameras based on thes
e materials is also reviewed.