We are optimizing thin films of perovskite manganese oxides for bolometric applications. We have studied the relevant material characteristics of several members of this family namely,La0.7Ba0.3MnO3,La0.7Sr0.3MnO3,La0.7Ca0.3MnO3,andNd0.7Sr0.3MnO3.Here, we discuss issues related to the choice of material, the influence of deposition parameters, and postdeposition heat treatments on the relevant characteristics such as the resistivity-peak temperature(Tp)and the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). For a given material, a higher peak temperature implies a larger temperature coefficient of resistance. In contrast, on comparing different material systems, the TCR tends to decrease asTpincreases. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.