Synthesis, growth, and characterization of deuterated l-alanine triglycine sulfate (DLaTGS) single crystal for infra-red detector applications

This paper describes the low temperature growth of triglycine sulphate (TGS) and deuterated L-alanine triglycine sulfate (DLaTGS) crystals using a slow cooling method. The dielectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties of the grown crystals were investigated using LCR meter, Sawyer–Tower-modified circuit, and temperature ramping method, respectively. Powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD) was used to determine the crystal structure of the grown crystals. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used in the range of 400–4000 cm⁻¹ and the functional groups of the grown crystals have been identified. The results and analysis of DLaTGS detectors at 1 kHz using the black body testing station exhibit a novel behavior at room temperature with relatively low noise-equivalent power (NEP). The proposed results show a specific detectivity (D*) between (2.09–2.29) × 10⁸ (cm Hz^1/2/W) with relatively low NEP between (5.05–5.55) × 10⁻¹⁰ W/√Hz. Further, the temperature-dependent pyroelectric coefficient of DLaTGS detector indicates effective operation below its Curie temperature of approximately 60 °C, exhibiting pyroelectric properties ideal for various sensing and detection applications in IR region. While the proposed results of DLaTGS detectors can be used in many IR applications, including spectroscopy, remote sensing, gas analysis, thermal imaging, and medical diagnostics, one of their drawbacks is their cost. This cost can be a limiting factor for some applications, especially those that require large arrays of detectors or where cost-effectiveness is a significant concern.