Characterizing pyroelectric detectors for quantitative synchrotron radiation measurements
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Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper describes the fabrication and quantitative characterization of pyroelectric detectors for the measurement of the intensity of synchrotron radiation in the challenging hard X-ray region (5–20 keV). The measurement of this radiation requires robust detectors with high signal-to-noise ratios. Our study examines the
response and noise characteristics in this spectral region of pyroelectric detectors made with three contrasting
ferroelectric materials: LiTaO3 (LT), LiNbO3 (LN) and triglycine sulphate (TGS). The key parameters of voltage
responsivity(Rv), noise equivalent power (NEP), and detectivity (D*) are analysed across a frequency range of
1 Hz to 100 Hz, with a photon energy of 17 keV. The detector made with TGS emerges exhibited the best
radiometric performance with an Rv of 7.09 × 10 ³ V/W and an NEP 1.75 × 10⁻⁸ W/√Hz at 10 Hz, which is
comparable with conventional X-ray scintillation detectors. In comparison, a detector using LT demonstrated an
Rv of 1.8 × 103 V/W and an NEP of 5.02 × 10− 8 W/√Hz under similar conditions. The LN-based device was ca
3–4 times lower in response than the LT device. All experimental measurements showed excellent agreement
with theoretical predictions, indicating that predictions of potential device design improvements using these
models should be highly reliable. The LT devices showed excellent linearity of response. LT also possesses a much
higher depolarization temperature and is considerably more robust than TGS. These findings open new avenues
for enhancing X-ray detection capabilities, particularly in challenging synchrotron environments where traditional detectors may face limitations.
response and noise characteristics in this spectral region of pyroelectric detectors made with three contrasting
ferroelectric materials: LiTaO3 (LT), LiNbO3 (LN) and triglycine sulphate (TGS). The key parameters of voltage
responsivity(Rv), noise equivalent power (NEP), and detectivity (D*) are analysed across a frequency range of
1 Hz to 100 Hz, with a photon energy of 17 keV. The detector made with TGS emerges exhibited the best
radiometric performance with an Rv of 7.09 × 10 ³ V/W and an NEP 1.75 × 10⁻⁸ W/√Hz at 10 Hz, which is
comparable with conventional X-ray scintillation detectors. In comparison, a detector using LT demonstrated an
Rv of 1.8 × 103 V/W and an NEP of 5.02 × 10− 8 W/√Hz under similar conditions. The LN-based device was ca
3–4 times lower in response than the LT device. All experimental measurements showed excellent agreement
with theoretical predictions, indicating that predictions of potential device design improvements using these
models should be highly reliable. The LT devices showed excellent linearity of response. LT also possesses a much
higher depolarization temperature and is considerably more robust than TGS. These findings open new avenues
for enhancing X-ray detection capabilities, particularly in challenging synchrotron environments where traditional detectors may face limitations.
Date Issued
2025-06-01
Date Acceptance
2025-02-26
Citation
Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 2025, 387
ISSN
0924-4247
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Volume
387
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
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Publication Status
Published
Article Number
116406
Date Publish Online
2025-02-27