Linear pyroelectric sensor array based on PCLT/P(VDF/TrFE) composite

A linear pyroelectric sensor array with calcium and lanthanum modified lead titanate/vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene, [PCLT/P(VDF /TrFE)] composite film as the sensing material was fabricated and tested. The composite film contained 30 volume % of PCLT powder particles. A two-step poling procedure was used to polarize both the ceramic and copolymer phases in order to enhance the pyroelectric coefficient. The pyroelectric and dielectric properties of the PCLT/P(VDF/TrFE) composite film were studied as a function of temperature. The signal from the sensor array was processed by amplifying transistors with multiplexing circuitry, which was mounted alongside the array on the same IC carrier. The current and voltage responsivities were measured over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 4 kHz and found to agree with the predictions based on a one-dimensional heat diffusion model. The noise of the sensor array with the associated electronics decreases with increasing frequency and is dominated by the flicker noise from the electronics.