Comparison of Pyroelectric and Thermopile Detectors

摘要

Thermal infrared detectors are distinguished by the advantages of a wide wavelength response, no requirement for cooling, high-temperature stability, high signal-to-noise ratio and low cost. Consequently, they are widely used in consumer products and in instrumentation. In the literature one can find many publications with regard to details either of pyroelectric detectors or thermopiles but a comparison of both thermal detectors could seldom be found. The main principles and the basic design of both the pyroelectric detector and the thermopile will be discussed as a starting point. Then the electro-optical properties of typical representatives of both the pyroelectric detector and the thermopile produced from our companies will be compared. Measurement results of blackbody responsivity, noise, and specific detectivity and spectral response will be displayed and discussed. The authors will conclude with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of pyroelectric detectors and thermopiles, including the electro-optical properties as well as the costs and typical applications of both thermal detector types.