Pyroelectric Film/Liquid Crystal Detector for 10.6 micrometers Region.
Abstract
The development of a new type of large area infrared detector cell with visible light readout is studied in which a liquid crystal layer is electro-optically activated by a pyroelectric film. These studies include the evaluation of pyroelectric films and their poling techniques, the evaluation of liquid crystals for use with pyroelectric currents, analysis of thermal time constants in various cell layers, evaluation of signals obtained with test cells, and the development of prototype detectors. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2) is selected as the best large area pyroelectric material available. In operation with 10.6 micrometer laser exposures, the effects of the pyroelectric generated voltage across the liquid crystal are obscured by thermal flow effects. However, a revised design is recommended in which a conductive faceplate is used to thermally isolate the pyroelectric film from the liquid crystal layer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA007852
Entities
People
- J. David Margerum
- Michael J. Little
- P. O. Braatz
Organizations
- HRL Laboratories