Created in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.

Pyroelectric Detector

This model is licensed under the COMSOL Software License Agreement 6.2.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. See www.comsol.com/trademarks.
Introduction
The pyroelectric phenomenon, when absorbed energy causes a change in temperature and
polarization within a pyroelectric material, is the basis of operation of some laser energy
meters. The change in polarization manifests itself as a pyroelectric current, which can be
measured by an ammeter circuit. Laser energy meters based on the pyroelectric
phenomenon are used to calibrate of laser sources.

This 2D axisymmetric model demonstrates the operation of a pyroelectric detector based

on a lithium niobate (LiNbO3) crystal sandwiched between two electrodes with
connection to an external circuit. To represent the absorbed laser energy, an energy flux
that varies with position and time is applied to the top surface of the disk. This model uses
(i) the Piezoelectricity and Pyroelectricity multiphysics interface and (ii) the Electrical Circuit
interface. A time-dependent study solves for temperature evolution in the disk and the
pyroelectric current generated.

Model Definition
A 25 m-thick LiNbO3 crystal in the shape of a disk with a diameter of 3 mm is bonded
to an electrically conductive base by a 40 m thick ring-shaped silver (Ag) pad. Most
material properties of the LiNbO3 and Ag domains are defined by material models from
the material library and some properties need to be added manually. The pyroelectric
coefficient of LiNbO3 was specified as 83 C/(m2·K). The top and bottom surfaces of
the crystal are coated with a thin metal layer, forming the top and bottom electrodes. The
model geometry is fully parameterized to allow for easy changes in the device structure for
future optimization.

This model uses the Piezoelectricity and Pyroelectricity multiphysics interface, which
automatically sets up the Electrostatics, Solid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer interfaces
together with Pyroelectricity, Piezoelectric Effect, and Thermal Expansion couplings. In the
Electrostatics interface, a Charge Conservation, Piezoelectric material model is assigned to
the LiNbO3 domain. In the Solid Mechanics interface, a Fixed Constraint is applied to the
base of the Ag pad. In the Heat Transfer interface, an Heat Flux applied to the top surface
of the disk represents the laser energy while a constant temperature of 293.15 K is assigned
to the base of the Ag pad. These assignments can be seen in Figure 1.

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 Lithium niobate
(purple) Top
electrode Silver
(gray)

Ground
(yellow) 293.15 K, Fixed

Figure 1: A cross section of the 2D axi-symmetric model showing the material models and
boundary conditions used. The disk is lithium niobate (purple) and the pad is silver (gray).
The bottom surface of the disk is grounded (yellow) while the top electrode (red) is connected to
an external circuit. A fixed constraint and T = 293.15 K is applied to the bottom of the silver
pad.

To calculate output power, the device is connected to an external circuit using the Electrical
Circuit interface. The terminals of the LiNbO3 disk is connected in parallel to the capacitor
C1 with a capacitance value of Cext = 100 pF. The disk is also connected to the load R1
with resistance value of Rext = 0.1, 5·106, 5·107, or 109 . The electrical power is
calculated as the product of the voltage and current across R1. The circuit components are
parameterized to allow for easy changes in the device structure for future optimization.

The model solves a multiphysics problem involving Pyroelectricity, Piezoelectric Effect, and
Thermal Expansion couplings using a time-dependent study. In the first study, the model
includes all couplings and is referred to as the full model. In the second study, the
Piezoelectric Effect and Thermal Expansion couplings are disabled, and the model is referred
to as pyroelectricity-only.

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Results and Discussion
A plot of temperature and current through R1versus time is shown in Figure 2 with the
temperature measured at the center of the disk.

Figure 2: Temperature and current through R1 versus time at the center of the disk.

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Figure 3 shows a plot of voltage versus time with the voltage measurements taken across
the load R1.

Figure 3: Voltage versus time. Voltage measurements taken across the load R1.

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Figure 4 shows a plot of electric power versus time, with the electric power measurements
taken through the load R1.

Figure 4: Electric power versus time. Electric power measurements taken through the load R1.

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Figure 5 shows a comparison of the electric power between the full model and the
pyroelectricity-only model. The electric power for the full model is about 8% less than for
the pyroelectricity-only model.

Figure 5: Comparison of electric power between full model and pyroelectricity-only model.

Application Library path: MEMS_Module/Sensors/pyroelectric_detector

Modeling Instructions
Start by creating a new 2D axi-symmetric model with the Piezoelectricity and
Pyroelectricity multiphysics interface and the Electrical Circuit interface.

From the File menu, choose New.

NEW
In the New window, click Model Wizard.

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MODEL WIZARD
1 In the Model Wizard window, click 2D Axisymmetric.
2 In the Select Physics tree, select AC/DC>Electromagnetics and Mechanics>Piezoelectricity>
Piezoelectricity and Pyroelectricity.
3 Click Add.
4 In the Select Physics tree, select AC/DC>Electrical Circuit (cir).
5 Click Add.
6 Click Study.
7 In the Select Study tree, select General Studies>Time Dependent.
8 Click Done.

Define and enter the values for the following global parameters.

GLOBAL DEFINITIONS

Parameters 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Global Definitions click Parameters 1.
2 In the Settings window for Parameters, locate the Parameters section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Name Expression Value Description

r_el 1.4[mm] 0.0014 m Radius of top electrode
r_s 0.25[mm] 2.5E-4 m Width of standoff
r_d 1.5[mm] 0.0015 m Radius of crystal
t_d 0.025[mm] 2.5E-5 m Thickness of crystal
t_s 0.040[mm] 4E-5 m Thickness of standoff
w_b 2[mm] 0.002 m Width of laser beam
Qmax 500[W/m^2] 500 W/m² Maximum laser power density
pulse 1[s] 1s Duration of laser pulse
C_ext 100[pF] 1E-10 F Capacitance of C1
R_ext 1000[ohm] 1000  Resistance of R1

Define a rectangular function and an analytical function describing the shape of laser pulse.

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DEFINITIONS

Rectangle 1 (rect1)
1 In the Home toolbar, click Functions and choose Local>Rectangle.
2 In the Settings window for Rectangle, locate the Parameters section.
3 In the Lower limit text field, type 0.2.
4 In the Upper limit text field, type 1.

Analytic 1 (an1)
1 In the Home toolbar, click Functions and choose Local>Analytic.
2 In the Settings window for Analytic, locate the Definition section.
3 In the Expression text field, type exp(-((r^2)/(2*(10000)^2))).
4 In the Arguments text field, type r.
5 Locate the Units section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Argument Unit
r um

Define the expression for the energy flux representing laser pulse using the functions
previously defined.

Variables 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Definitions and choose Variables.
2 In the Settings window for Variables, locate the Variables section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Name Expression Unit Description

Flux Qmax*an1(r)*rect1(t/ W/m² Power density
pulse) distribution

GEOMETRY 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) click Geometry 1.
2 In the Settings window for Geometry, locate the Units section.
3 From the Length unit list, choose mm.

Rectangle 1 (r1)
1 In the Geometry toolbar, click Rectangle.
2 In the Settings window for Rectangle, locate the Size and Shape section.

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3 In the Width text field, type r_d.
4 In the Height text field, type t_d.

Rectangle 2 (r2)
1 In the Geometry toolbar, click Rectangle.
2 In the Settings window for Rectangle, locate the Size and Shape section.
3 In the Width text field, type r_s.
4 In the Height text field, type t_s.
5 Locate the Position section. In the r text field, type r_d-0.3.
6 In the z text field, type -t_p.
7 In the r text field, type r_d-r_s.
8 In the z text field, type -t_s.

Rectangle 3 (r3)
1 In the Geometry toolbar, click Rectangle.
2 In the Settings window for Rectangle, locate the Size and Shape section.
3 In the Width text field, type r_el.
4 In the Height text field, type t_d.
5 Click Build Selected.

MULTIPHYSICS

Pyroelectricity 1 (pye1)
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Multiphysics click
Pyroelectricity 1 (pye1).
2 Select Domains 1 and 3 only.

Add the lithium niobate model from the library.

ADD MATERIAL
1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Material to open the Add Material window.
2 Go to the Add Material window.
3 In the tree, select Piezoelectric>Lithium Niobate.
4 Click Add to Component in the window toolbar.
5 In the Home toolbar, click Add Material to close the Add Material window.

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MATERIALS

Lithium Niobate (mat1)

Next, enter missing properties for lithium niobate.

1 In the Settings window for Material, locate the Material Contents section.
2 In the table, enter the following settings:

Property Variable Value Unit Property group

Thermal conductivity k_iso ; kii = 4.2 W/(m·K) Basic
k_iso, kij = 0
Heat capacity at Cp 628 J/(kg·K) Basic
constant pressure
Coefficient of {alpha11, {6.5e- 1/K Basic
thermal expansion alpha22, 6,
alpha33} ; 6.5e-6,
alphaij = 0 14.8e-
6}
Total pyroelectric {pET1, pET2, {0,0,- C/(m²·K) Pyroelectric
coefficient pET3} 8.3e-5}

Set up the boundary conditions for the Electrostatics interface.

ELECTROSTATICS (ES)

Charge Conservation, Piezoelectric 1

1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Electrostatics (es) click
Charge Conservation, Piezoelectric 1.
2 Select Domains 1 and 3 only.

Ground 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Ground.
2 Select Boundaries 2, 6, and 8 only.

Terminal 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Terminal.
2 In the Settings window for Terminal, locate the Boundary Selection section.
3 Click Paste Selection.
4 In the Paste Selection dialog box, type 3 in the Selection text field.
5 Click OK.

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6 In the Settings window for Terminal, locate the Terminal section.
7 From the Terminal type list, choose Circuit.

Charge Conservation 1
1 In the Model Builder window, click Charge Conservation 1.
2 In the Settings window for Charge Conservation, locate the Material Type section.
3 From the Material type list, choose Solid.

SOLID MECHANICS (SOLID)

Piezoelectric Material 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1)>Solid Mechanics (solid) click
Piezoelectric Material 1.
2 Select Domains 1 and 3 only.

Set up the boundary conditions for the Solid Mechanics interface.

Fixed Constraint 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Fixed Constraint.
2 Select Boundary 5 only.

Set up the boundary conditions for the Heat Transfer interface.

HEAT TRANSFER IN SOLIDS (HT)

In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) click Heat Transfer in Solids (ht).

Heat Flux 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Heat Flux.
2 In the Settings window for Heat Flux, locate the Material Type section.
3 From the Material type list, choose Solid.
4 Locate the Heat Flux section. In the q0 text field, type Flux.
5 Select Boundaries 3 and 9 only.

Temperature 1
1 In the Physics toolbar, click Boundaries and choose Temperature.
2 Select Boundary 5 only.

Add the Electric Circuit interface, define the capacitor C_ext and the load R_ext and how
they are connected to the detector terminals.

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ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT (CIR)
In the Model Builder window, under Component 1 (comp1) click Electrical Circuit (cir).

Resistor 1 (R1)
1 In the Electrical Circuit toolbar, click Resistor.
2 In the Settings window for Resistor, locate the Node Connections section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Label Node names

n 0

4 Locate the Device Parameters section. In the R text field, type R_ext.

Capacitor 1 (C1)
1 In the Electrical Circuit toolbar, click Capacitor.
2 In the Settings window for Capacitor, locate the Node Connections section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Label Node names

p 1
n 0

4 Locate the Device Parameters section. In the C text field, type C_ext.

External I-Terminal 1 (termI1)

1 In the Electrical Circuit toolbar, click External I-Terminal.
2 In the Settings window for External I-Terminal, locate the Node Connections section.
3 In the Node name text field, type 1.
4 Locate the External Terminal section. From the V list, choose Terminal voltage (es/
term1).

Add material model for silver.

ADD MATERIAL
1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Material to open the Add Material window.
2 Go to the Add Material window.
3 In the tree, select MEMS>Metals>Ag - Silver.
4 Click Add to Component in the window toolbar.
5 In the Home toolbar, click Add Material to close the Add Material window.

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MATERIALS

Ag - Silver (mat2)
Next, enter missing properties for silver.

1 Select Domain 2 only.

2 In the Settings window for Material, locate the Material Contents section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Property Variable Value Unit Property

group
Relative permittivity epsilonr_iso ; 1 1 Basic
epsilonrii =
epsilonr_iso,
epsilonrij = 0

4 Click the Zoom Extents button in the Graphics toolbar.

MESH 1

Free Triangular 1
In the Mesh toolbar, click Free Triangular.

Size 1
1 Right-click Free Triangular 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Settings window for Size, locate the Element Size section.
3 From the Predefined list, choose Extremely fine.
4 Click Build Selected.

Add a time-dependent study using the full model to analyze effect of thermal expansion,
piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity.

STUDY 1

Time Dependent, Full Model

1 In the Model Builder window, under Study 1 click Step 1: Time Dependent.
2 In the Settings window for Time Dependent, locate the Study Settings section.
3 In the Output times text field, type range(0,0.02,2).
4 In the Label text field, type Time Dependent, Full Model.
5 Click to expand the Study Extensions section. Select the Auxiliary sweep check box.

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6 Click Add.
7 In the table, enter the following settings:

Parameter name Parameter value list Parameter unit

R_ext (Resistance of R1) 0.1 5e6 5e7 1e9 

8 In the Model Builder window, click Study 1.

9 In the Settings window for Study, locate the Study Settings section.
10 Clear the Generate default plots check box.
11 In the Home toolbar, click Compute.

Add a time-dependent study using the pyroelectricity-only model to analyze effect of

pyroelectricity.

ADD STUDY
1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Study to open the Add Study window.
2 Go to the Add Study window.
3 Find the Studies subsection. In the Select Study tree, select General Studies>
Time Dependent.
4 Click Add Study in the window toolbar.
5 In the Home toolbar, click Add Study to close the Add Study window.

STUDY 2

Time Dependent - Pyroelectricity Only

1 In the Settings window for Time Dependent, type Time Dependent -
Pyroelectricity Only in the Label text field.
2 Locate the Study Settings section. In the Output times text field, type range(0,0.02,
2).

3 Locate the Physics and Variables Selection section. In the table, enter the following
settings:

Physics interface Solve for Equation form

Electrostatics (es)  Automatic (Time dependent)
Solid Mechanics (solid) Automatic (Stationary)
Heat Transfer in Solids (ht)  Automatic (Time dependent)
Electrical Circuit (cir)  Automatic (Time dependent)

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4 In the table, enter the following settings:

Multiphysics couplings Solve for Equation form

Piezoelectricity 1 (pze1) Automatic (Stationary)
Thermal Expansion 1 (te1) Automatic (Stationary)

5 Locate the Study Extensions section. Select the Auxiliary sweep check box.
6 Click Add.
7 In the table, enter the following settings:

Parameter name Parameter value list Parameter unit

R_ext (Resistance of R1) 0.1 5e6 5e7 1e9 

8 In the Model Builder window, click Study 2.

9 In the Settings window for Study, locate the Study Settings section.
10 Clear the Generate default plots check box.
11 In the Home toolbar, click Compute.

Plot temperature and current density versus time, taking measurement at the center of the
disk.

RESULTS

Temperature and Current Density, Full Model

1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, type Temperature and Current Density,
Full Model in the Label text field.

3 Locate the Plot Settings section. Select the Two y-axes check box.

Temperature
1 Right-click Temperature and Current Density, Full Model and choose Point Graph.
2 Click the Zoom Extents button in the Graphics toolbar.
3 Select Point 2 only.
4 In the Settings window for Point Graph, locate the y-Axis Data section.
5 In the Expression text field, type T.
6 Select the Description check box.
7 In the Temperature and Current Density, Full Model toolbar, click Plot.
8 In the Label text field, type Temperature.

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Circuit Current
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Temperature and Current Density, Full Model and
choose Global.
2 In the Settings window for Global, type Circuit Current in the Label text field.
3 Locate the y-Axis section. Select the Plot on secondary y-axis check box.
4 Locate the y-Axis Data section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Expression Unit Description

cir.R1_i uA Current through device R1

5 Click to expand the Legends section. Find the Include subsection. Clear the Description
check box.
6 In the Temperature and Current Density, Full Model toolbar, click Plot.

Temperature and Current Density, Full Model

1 In the Model Builder window, click Temperature and Current Density, Full Model.
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, locate the Plot Settings section.
3 In the table, select the Plot on secondary y-axis check box for Circuit Current.
4 In the Temperature and Current Density, Full Model toolbar, click Plot.

Plot voltage versus time, taking measurement across the load R_ext.

Voltage, Full Model

1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, type Voltage, Full Model in the Label text
field.
3 Locate the Legend section. From the Position list, choose Lower right.

Global 1
1 Right-click Voltage, Full Model and choose Global.
2 In the Settings window for Global, click Replace Expression in the upper-right corner of
the y-Axis Data section. From the menu, choose Component 1 (comp1)>
Electrical Circuit>Devices>R1>cir.R1_v - Voltage across device R1 - V.
3 Locate the Legends section. Find the Include subsection. Clear the Description check box.
4 In the Voltage, Full Model toolbar, click Plot.

Plot electric power versus time, taking measurement across the load R_ext.

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Electric Power, Full Model
1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, type Electric Power, Full Model in the
Label text field.

Global 1
1 Right-click Electric Power, Full Model and choose Global.
2 In the Settings window for Global, locate the y-Axis Data section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

Expression Unit Description

realdot(cir.R1_i,cir.R1_v) uW Electric Power

4 Locate the Legends section. Find the Include subsection. Clear the Description check box.
5 In the Electric Power, Full Model toolbar, click Plot.

Plot electric power versus time for R_ext = 1e9 ohms for the full model and the
pyroelectricity-only model.

Full Model vs. Pyroelectricity Only

1 In the Home toolbar, click Add Plot Group and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 In the Settings window for 1D Plot Group, type Full Model vs. Pyroelectricity
Only in the Label text field.

Electric Power, Full Model

1 Right-click Full Model vs. Pyroelectricity Only and choose Global.
2 In the Settings window for Global, type Electric Power, Full Model in the Label text
field.
3 Locate the Data section. From the Dataset list, choose Study 1/Solution 1 (sol1).
4 From the Parameter selection (R_ext) list, choose From list.
5 In the Parameter values (R_ext ()) list, select 1E9.
6 Locate the y-Axis Data section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Expression Unit Description

realdot(cir.R1_i,cir.R1_v) uW Electric Power, Full Model

7 Locate the Legends section. Find the Include subsection. Clear the Solution check box.
8 Right-click Electric Power, Full Model and choose Duplicate.

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Electric Power, Pyroelectricity Only
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results>Full Model vs. Pyroelectricity Only click
Electric Power, Full Model 1.
2 In the Settings window for Global, type Electric Power, Pyroelectricity Only in
the Label text field.
3 Locate the Data section. From the Dataset list, choose Study 2/Solution 2 (sol2).
4 Locate the y-Axis Data section. In the table, enter the following settings:

Expression Unit Description

realdot(cir.R1_i,cir.R1_v) uW Electric Power,
Pyroelectricity Only

5 In the Full Model vs. Pyroelectricity Only toolbar, click Plot.

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