Pyroelectric Transducers for the Measurement of Heat Transfer under Conditions of Hypersonic Flow

Pyroelectric detectors have been fabricated from polycrystalline samples of barium titanate. These detectors were mounted in a model for tests in a hypersonic wind tunnel and calibrated. The method of calibration is discussed and tables of calibration data are included. Thermocouples were mounted in the model to evaluate the detectors. The detectors were tested and results of the tests are discussed. Advantages of pyroelectric detectors are presented and typical output traces from both the pyroelectric detectors and the thermocouples are shown.