A dynamic method for determining the pyroelectric response of thin films

A dynamic method for quantitatively determining the pyroelectric coefficient of thin films is presented. The technique offers several advantages over competitive techniques. These advantages include, •the ability to distinguish between reversible (pyroelectric) and irreversible thermally induced currents,•a facility to study time-varying pyroelectric responses,•more rapid determinations at room temperature, and•higher measurement precision. Details of the mechanical and electrical design of the instrument are given, together with examples of experimental data which illustrate the working operation of the equipment.