Pyroelectric high-detectivity detectors for process and environmental measurement technology

The pyroelectric infrared detectors of the PYROSENS series from DIAS Infrared have been successfully used for many years in gas analysis, spectroscopy, non-contact temperature measurement, and radiation measurement devices. The detector elements are made of the pyroelectric material lithium tantalate, which enables very high signal-to-noise ratios or specific detectivities D* as well as excellent temperature and long-term stability of the detector properties. With large values of the specific detectivity D*, high detection sensitivities of the infrared measuring devices can be achieved, for example, very low gas concentrations can be measured.

Within the PYROSENS product family, many types of single- and multi-channel detectors with 1 to 4 detector elements with different element areas, optional thermal compensation, different absorber and black coatings as well as numerous filter windows for the desired spectral behavior of the detector are available. By using very thin, ion beam etched detector elements, D* values of up to 10⁹ cmHz^1/2W^-1 at 10 Hz modulation frequency are achieved.

Newly developed technologies can further increase these already very high D* values. DIAS Infrared is now introducing a first new single-channel detector type LTMUI Q2, which has a 2 x 2 mm² detector element with an optimized metal absorber and achieves a specific detectivity D* of 2 x 10⁹ cmHz^1/2W^-1 (5 Hz to 10 Hz). Further types of these new high-detectivity detectors will be introduced gradually.

PYROSENS products will be presented together with our pyrometers, thermal imaging cameras and system solutions for non-contact temperature measurement from May 6 to 8, 2025, at Sensor+Test (Nuremberg Trade Fair Centre, Booth 1-504, Hall 1).