Pyroelectricity (from the Greek
pyr, fire, and
electricity) is the ability of certain materials to generate a temporary
voltage when they are heated or cooled. The change in temperature modifies the positions of the atoms slightly within the
crystal structure, such that the
polarization of the material changes. This polarization change gives rise to a voltage across the crystal. If the temperature stays constant at its new value, the pyroelectric voltage gradually disappears due to
leakage current (the leakage can be due to electrons moving through the crystal, ions moving through the air, current leaking through a
voltmeter attached across the crystal, etc.).