Ferroelectric ceramic/polar polymer composite films for pyroelectric sensors

Discusses a polymer/ceramic composite, in which a fine ceramic powder is dispersed in a polymer matrix. This paper focuses on the relevant properties of composites that make them suitable for their use in pyroelectric detectors, using the pyroelectric figure of merit defined as p/ epsilon ( mu C/m/sup 2/K). The authors report the results for the pyroelectric and dielectric properties of composites made with a polymer, P(VDF/TrFE) and various ferroelectric ceramics such as PZT, PLZT, and Ca modified PT. PLZT ceramic was chosen as a ceramic dispersoid because of its high resistivity when compared to other ferroelectric ceramics.