Image Converter Based on the Pyroelectric Layer - Liquid Crystal Structure

The operation of an image converter (IC) for middle infrared radiation (lambda~ 10 micrometers) is considered. The device has a sandwich structure consisting of a pyroelectric layer and liquid crystal layer. The theoretical analysis of the dependence of the thermal imaging system sensitivity from thermal and electrical parameters of the layers is presented. The example of the thermal image of a test-object is shown. The sensitivity of the device in these experiments was (1-5)10^-3 W/cm², spatial resolution R = 2-3 mm^-1.