Laser Components has been offering its differential pyroelectric detectors in a 4-pin TO39 package for over a year. Differential operation results in a significant increase of the signal to noise ratio. This is because the output signal is doubled with this configuration while the noise only grows with the square root, the improvement in signal to noise is approximately 1.41 over a standard single-ended pyroelectric detector. The detector outputs two amplified signals separately, and any interference signals are eliminated when the outputs are subtracted. However, this device is not pin-compatible with many instruments currently in service. For customers who need a drop-in replacement for an existing pyro sensor, Laser Components says its LD2120 now comes in a standard three-pin housing, with single supply, ground and signal pins. The LD2120 has a differential amplifier within the housing generating a single output with twice the signal strength.
These devices are used in NDIT and FTIR spectroscopy as well as flame and fire detection. They are inexpensive, robust and highly sensitive in the IR region of the spectrum.
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