Voltage responsivity of pyroelectric sensor

Composites polymer-ceramic using castor oil-based polyurethane (PU) as non-ferroelectric matrix and Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) as ceramic powder have been prepared at thin films form by spin coating. The samples are poled by appropriated electric field to show piezo and pyroelectric activity. The pyroelectric coefficient p(T) at 343 K is obtained to be equal 5.8 X 10(-5) C m(-2) K-1 for a composite with 32 vol.% of ceramic. The figure of merit of this composite is six times higher than of PZT ceramic. The voltage responsivity of the pyroelectric is reduced when the thickness of the sample increases. It was used modulated white light as radiation source to excite the sensor film. The electric signal of the sensor decreases with the light modulation frequency by 1/f. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.