Pyroelectric properties in sol-gel derived barium strontium titanate thin films using a highly diluted precursor solution

The pyroelectric coefficient and pyroelectric infrared response in the sol- gel derived Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 thin films have been studied for possible infrar ed detector applications. The measured pyroelectric coefficient is larger t han 3.1 x 10(-4) C/m(2) K at temperatures ranging from 10 to 26 degrees C a nd reaches the maximum value of 4.1 x 10(-4) C/m(2) K at 16 degrees C. The infrared detectivity of 4.6 x 10(6) cm Hz(1/2) W-1 has been obtained at 19 degrees C and 10 Hz in the Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 films deposited on thick (500 mu m) platinum coated silicon substrates. The better infrared response can be expected by the improvement in the thermal isolation of pyroelectric elemen t and the electrode materials. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S00 03-6951(00)03133-8].