Pyroelectric properties of [111]-oriented Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–PbTiO3 crystals

The pyroelectric properties of [111]-oriented Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–0.29PbTiO3 (PMN-0.29PT) crystals have been investigated both as a function of frequency and temperature. At room temperature, [111]-oriented crystals have a high pyroelectric coefficient of 12.8×10−4C∕m2K and a low thermal diffusivity of ∼3.7×10−7m2∕s. The calculated voltage responsivity and detectivity figures of merit Fv and Fd exceed 0.11m2∕C and 9.8×10−5Pa−1∕2, respectively, over a wide range of frequency from 50 to 20000 kHz. The crystals are inert in practical application environment and can be easily processed as well. Such investigation reveals that superior pyroelectric performance makes PMN-0.29PT crystals a promising candidate for uncooled infrared detectors and imagers.