One-Channel LiTaO3 Pyroelectric Detector

Single-channel IR Detector

This product line uses LiTaO₃ as the chip material. We offer a broad range of active sizes and packages. Our smallest package is a TO-46 and our largest standard chip size is 3.0 x 3.0 mm². We also offer versions for all common methods of driving pyroelectric detectors. These detectors can be tailored to applications by integrating bandpass filters or broadband windows. For details please see the separate “Filter and Window Selection Sheet”.

Current Mode Detector - CM

Currently, the op-amp-based current mode (CM) is only used by a minority of users; however, this minority is rapidly growing. We strongly recommend using this method of driving, especially for new developments. In our experience, customers profit from the following advantages: There is a relatively large signal on top of a small offset. In addition, this offset is more consistent across a wider temperature range.

This series has the following designation: L11 for detectors without temperature fluctuation compensation (TFC) and L21 for those with TFC. In general, L21 series components have a higher performance ratio than those of the L11 series.

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Our IR Detectors

Panchromatic, photoconductive and thermal detectors

InGaAs PIN Photodiodes

Modern InGaAs PIN photodiodes are panchromatic and convert broadband light to photocurrents in the Vis-NIR range. Concretely speaking, this means a sensitivity range from 500 nm to 1700 nm for regular InGaAs and – in increments – up to 2600 nm for extended InGaAs. Variations for data transmission are not panchromatic.

PbS and PbSe Detectors

PbS is a standard SWIR semiconductor detector (1 - 3.3 µm) whereas PbSe is used in the MWIR range (1 - 4.7 µm when uncooled; up to 5.2 µm when cooled). Our lead salt detectors are photoconductive; the detector resistance is reduced during illumination. The crystal structure is polycrystalline and is produced via chemical deposition.

Pyroelectric IR Detectors

A pyroelectric IR detector is a thermal detector in that it responds to the change in heat (IR) absorbed on its surface. Thermal detectors are polychromatic with a very wide spectral bandwidth.

The nature of the pyroelectric effect is that in a highly-ordered crystal (or ceramic), a temperature change in the element causes its atoms to move slightly out of position. This rearranges its electrical charge, which is measured in the electrodes on its surface.

The pyroelectric effect is found in many materials. The most commonly-used materials are deuterated lanthanum α alanine-doped triglycine sulfate (DLaTGS) and lithium tantalate (LTO).