Pyroelectricity in Synthetic Amphitropic Glycolipid for Potential Application of IR Sensor Device

Synthetic pure beta-anomer glycolipid with large pyroelectric coefficient (similar to 80 mu C/m(2)K under zero applied bias field) is reported. The pyroelectric and dielectric properties of glycolipid prepared in thin films, annealed at various temperatures have been investigated. The induced polarization in the glycolipid thin films systems remains stable up to 100 degrees C, thus this material is appropriate for sensor materials for pyroelectric application. The real part of the dielectric constant is also low as compared to that of the other ferroelectric ceramic materials used in pyroelectric devices; therefore these new materials have significant potential application for infrared sensing devices.