Infrared Cameras

Infrared Cameras

Most of the heat energy radiated by objects is in the form of infrared light radiation. Infrared light is light that’s “below” the visual spectrum of light, hence the name, infra – or “below” – red. In actuality, though, red is the “longest” form of visible light (625-740 nanometers,) and Infrared light is invisible because it’s “longer” than red (750 nanometers to 1 millimeter), so it’s more accurately “over” red. Infrared cameras see in the range of 750-14,000 nm. The practical upshot of all this is that an infrared camera can see how hot or cool an object is. There are two different kinds of infrared cameras – those with cooled sensors and those with un-cooled sensors. Cooled-sensor cameras use super-cooled gases like Liquid Nitrogen or Liquid Oxygen to cool the infrared detectors. This gives them a greater sensitivity and resolution, as the detectors are at a temperature far lower than that of the object they’re meant to observe. On the other hand, these detectors are so sensitive to heat that without these cooling systems, they’d be overloaded and “blinded” from the heat generated by their own components. Un-cooled-sensor cameras, on the other hand, are much less sensitive, but give a less sharp and defined image. However, since they don’t require extensive cooling systems, they can be made much smaller and less expensive than cooled-sensor cameras.

Mini Infrared Cameras

Miniature infrared cameras are useful for people that wish to set up home security systems. Many of them are as large as small security cameras, at the largest, and many of the smaller models are less than an inch on a side. These cameras usually transmit their signals wirelessly to a TV or recording device, and can see almost perfectly in total darkness. As such, they’re perfect for anybody that wishes to feel more secure in their homes at night.

How Infrared Cameras Are Used

In addition to providing “night vision” and security, infrared cameras are useful for any number of jobs that require seeing something invisible to the naked eye. One of the technology’s most common applications is in the field of archaeology. When an infrared photo is taken of the ground, any buried object will show up as slightly different temperature than the ground surrounding it. Another use is in the field of astronomy. Many of NASA’s space telescopes contain infrared cameras as well as visible light cameras, which can be used to detect radiating bodies invisible to the naked eye.