Pyroelectric thermal imaging devices

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Abstract
Study of the pyroelectric properties of a number of ferroelectric materials has shown that they can be used as sensitive infrared detectors suitable for use in thermal imaging systems. In particular when single domain triglycine sulphate elements of adequate quality are used, the detectivity obtained approaches within an order of magnitude of an ideal thermal detector. It is also possible to use TGS as the target in an infrared camera tube similar in general construction to a conventional vidicon.Two types of thermal imaging system will be described. The first uses a linear array of TGS detectors in combination with a silicon integrated circuit signal processing system. The second employs the pyroelectric infrared camera tube. The performance of these two systems will be compared and the prospects for further development of these systems will be discussed.