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Pyroelectrics vs. Thermopile IR Detectors

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Pyroelectrics vs. Thermopile IR Detectors

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Thermopiles are an "array" of thermocouples made from dissimilar materials with differing Seebeck coefficients. Each "couple" produces a voltage proportional to its temperature and the differences in the Seebeck coefficient of the couple materials. N and P type polysilicon are used as the couples in low-end thermopiles while Antimony and Bismuth are used in higher performing parts but at a higher cost, other materials such as Iron-Nickel are used as well. Half of the "couples" are blackened and called "actives" the remainder are made reflective and positioned out of the FOV and called "compensators". The Pyroelectric effect is manifested in dielectric materials which have a crystalline asymmetry such that its polarization is changed when its temperature is changed. This change is “spontaneous polarization” produces charge which can be measured on electrodes applied to its surfaces.

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