Relaxer ferroelectrics as promising materials for IR detectors

The dielectric and pyroelectric properties of a typical relaxer ferroelectric, 0.9PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃-0.1PbTiO₃ (PMN-PT), are studied experimentally. Based on the results obtained, the pyroelectric constant and figure of merit of the material when used in IR detectors are calculated. These parameters are presented as a function of temperature and external electric field. The current and voltage sensitivities and the detectivity of PMN-PT-based IR detectors are evaluated. They are compared with the same properties of pyroelectric detectors and dielectric bolometers that use traditional pyroelectric materials as the active element and also of other uncooled photodetectors.