Plastic infrared detectors based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonic acid)

Illumination of films of the p-conjugated polymeric conductor poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) with infrared radiation results in a transient enhancement of its electrical conductivity. This phenomenon can be employed to detect infrared light. Recent experimental evidence is reviewed indicating that the transient increment in the conductivity can be understood in terms of a local heating effect. Thermalization of the carriers, a process which can be studied by optical techniques, is found to proceed very rapidly.