A pyroelectric PVdF temperature sensor for cryogenic temperatures

Summary form only given. The authors used the pyroelectric properties of beta-phase polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) to construct a relatively fast response cryogenic thermometer. The temperature dependence of the pyroelectric coefficient of 9 mu m and 28 mu m PVdF films was measured over the temperature range from 20 K to 300 K. Repeated cycling of the films between room temperature and 20 K did not appear to damage the films or change the values of the pyroelectric coefficients. When a sample of lipids was dipped in Freon 12 at 115 K, the cooling rate was found to be 989 +or- 21 Ks/sup -1/. The results show that a thin PVdF film can be used as an accurate and cheap rapid-response temperature sensor at cryogenic temperatures. >