Sensor Head Performance, Responsivity and NETD Using Pyroelectric Linear Arrays.

The use of linear arrays of pyroelectric detectors in IR Sensor Heads is an attractive possibility for a wide range of applications where simplicity, low weight and low cost are high priorities. Despite the fact that detectors are limited to 10 to the 8th power to 10 to the 9th power cmHzwatt, many of these applications may be satisfied with long linear arrays working at low bandwidths, less than 100 Hz NETDs of 0.1C to 0.3C are achievable. The performance in a simple panning operation is examined here with particular attention to the NETD which may be predicted for thermal patterns over a range of spatial frequencies. Author