The applications of pyroelectric devices

After reviewing briefly the characteristics of pyroelectric detectors (including the pyroelectric vidicon) the principal applications of pyroelectric devices are discussed. These range from high technology applications such as radiometers in weather satellites and interplanetary probes to simple thermal sensors with widespread commercial and industrial applications and make important contributions to absolute radiometry, infrared spectroscopy and to laser research. In addition to its use in simple thermal imaging systems the pyroelectric vidicon is now widely used in laser interferometers and other applications requiring a two dimensional detector. Finally the possibility of future development of a two dimensional pyroelectric/CCD array is considered.