The presentation describes the layout and the basic properties of pyroelectric single-element detectors and linear arrays with up to 256 responsive elements which are built on the basis of lithium tantalate. The research aimed to develop detectors with a signal-to-noise ratio that is as high as possible thereby ensuring optimum adjustment of the detectors to their planned application. Typical applications can be found in pyrometry, gas analysis, spectrometry and security technique. It is shown that special technologies (e.g., ion-beam etching, absorption layers) are used to manufacture responsive elements for detectors with very high signal-to-noise ratios. For example, a specific detectivity D* (500K; 10Hz; 1Hz; τW=1) ≥ 1.5 x 109 cmHz1/2W-1 has been obtained for single-element detectors with a responsive area of [2x2]mm2. The measured peak values of the NEP for linear arrays with 128 responsive elements were smaller than 0.5 nW (128Hz).
The presentation describes the layout and the basic properties of pyroelectric single-element detectors and linear arrays with up to 256 responsive elements which are built on the basis of lithium tantalate. The research aimed to develop detectors with a signal-to-noise ratio that is as high as possible thereby ensuring optimum adjustment of the detectors to their planned application. Typical applications can be found in pyrometry, gas analysis, spectrometry and security technique. It is shown that special technologies (e.g., ion-beam etching, absorption layers) are used to manufacture responsive elements for detectors with very high signal-to-noise ratios. For example, a specific detectivity D* (500K; 10Hz; 1Hz; τW=1) ≥ 1.5 x 109 cmHz1/2W-1 has been obtained for single-element detectors with a responsive area of [2x2]mm2. The measured peak values of the NEP for linear arrays with 128 responsive elements were smaller than 0.5 nW (128Hz).
