Abstract: A method of manufacturing a target from a pyroelectric material exhibiting ferroelectric domains includes the steps of poling the target in a uniform direction and then etching a central region of the target to produce a thin target with a thick support rim around an outer edge. An apparatus for poling wafers of pyroelectric material includes two electrodes spaced a fixed distance apart by an electrode separator. The pyroelectric material is mounted in the separator at a fixed position between the electrodes. An electrically insulating liquid dielectric fills the spaces between the electrodes and the pyroelectric material in order to maximize the electric field across the material. A pyroelectric target produced by poling prior to etching exhibits reduced surface anomolies and improved image quality.