Parametric study on the pyroelectric response of LiNbO3 sensor for laser light: a geometrical and electrical perspective

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Engineering Research Express

Abstract

This study presents a simulation-driven investigation into the optimization of a lithium niobate (LiNbO3)-based pyroelectric sensor for pulsed laser detection. Using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0, a transient multiphysics model was developed to analyze the sensor’s thermal and electrical responses under a 1 s laser energy flux of 500 W m−2. The effects of geometrical parameters, including crystal thickness and disk radius, as well as the external load resistance, were systematically evaluated. A time-dependent energy input profile was implemented as a step-function laser pulse, and its impact on voltage, current, power, and temperature profiles was examined in detail. The study revealed that increasing the disk radius from 1 mm to 5 mm enhanced the charge-generating area and improved output performance, albeit at the cost of slower thermal decay. Similarly, increasing the crystal thickness from 0.01 mm to 0.04 mm significantly improved voltage sensitivity, reaching up to 2.0 μV K−1, while also minimizing temperature gradients across the crystal. Electrical response analysis showed that higher load resistances increased output voltage and reduced current, with peak power output (12.18 fW) observed at 500 MΩ, indicating optimal impedance matching. The thermal behavior was largely unaffected by electrical loading, confirming that it is primarily governed by the material’s physical properties and the applied laser energy. Additionally, the comparison of thermal and electrical time constants illustrated how sensor performance can shift from thermally to electrically limited, depending on design parameters. The study provides detailed insights into the sensor’s operational dynamics and establishes an optimized design space. A configuration of 5 mm radius, 0.04 mm thickness, and 500 MΩ load resistance offers a promising balance of signal amplitude, sensitivity, and temporal stability. These findings offer valuable guidance for the design and future experimental realization of high-performance pyroelectric sensors.

DOI

10.1088/2631-8695/adf0c3

Publication Date

9-30-2025

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