A THICK-FILM PYROELECTRIC PLZT CERAMIC SENSOR

A thick-film preparation method and examples of the action of a pyroelectric lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) thick-film sensor are described. Ceramic powders for thick-film PLZT paste production are prepared by a chemical method, starting with lead oxide, solutions of zirconium oxynitrate and lanthanum nitrate and titanium dioxide complexed 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 vehicle. 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-film PLZT layers as a function of temperature are measured. The properties of the samples prepared under various conditions are compared with each 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.