Pyroelectric Vidicon Target Materials

After a general discussion of pyroelectricity the figures of merit for pyroelectric materials are considered for different modes of vidicon operation. Techniques for material evaluation including the measurement of the pyroelectric coefficient and the thermal diffusivity are reviewed. Separate sections deal with the available pyroelectric crystalline, polymer, and ceramic materials and the possible ways to improve these materials are discussed. The most promising materials including those which have already been used in a pyroelectric vidicon are considered in greater detail. State-of-the-art pyroelectric vidicon data is presented. Pyroelectric materials arecompared based on the mode of operaton, figures of merit, and modulation transfer function. Finally, general areas of new materials research are outlined.