What are pyroelectric detectors used for?
A pyroelectric detector can be used very exactly and with long term stability to measure IR radiation. As the pyroelectric element only reacts to a change of the IR radiation the detector must always be used with a modulated (mechanically chopped or electrically pulsed) radiation source. Since pyroelectric detectors operate on a thermal phenomenon they have a very broad spectral response – between 100 nm to over 1000 m without any cooling like semiconductor detectors. Most common applications are motion detection, NDIR gas analysis, flame detection with spectroscopy and radiometry also possible. Even if pyroelectric detectors are thermal detectors they are able to measure signals up to some kHz with high performance. Short pulses can be detected down to some s (microseconds) but with considerable loss of signal-to-noise.
