Enhancement of the photoconductive properties of PbS films deposited on ferroelectric substrates

PbS films were chemically deposited on poled and unpoled ferroelectric ceramic substrates and on glass. The sensitivity of the PbS thin films and the concentration of trapping centers inside these films depend on the nature of the substrate and, in the case of poled ferroelectric substrates, depend on the polarity of the ferroelectric polarization as well. A considerable enhancement of the photoconductive signal at liquid nitrogen temperature was found in the case of PbS films deposited on the positive face of a poled ferroelectric substrate. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.